(Illustrative photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam istargeting between 49 and 62 gold medals at the upcoming 29th Southeast AsianGames (SEA Games 29), which will take place in Malaysia from August 19 to 31.
Tran Duc Phan, deputy head of the VietnamSports Administration, reported the goal to Minister of Culture, Sport andTourism at a working session in preparation for the regional sport competitionin Hanoi on April 19.
Phan said the Vietnamese delegation willhave 750 members, including 105 coaches and 568 athletes, adding thatVietnamese athletes will compete in 31 out of 38 sports at the games.
He noted that the limited events or male-onlyrestrictions set for several sports of Vietnamese strength, such as fencing,boxing and weightlifting, are challenges facing the team.
In response to Phan’s report, Minister ofCulture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien asked relevant units to planadvanced training sessions for outstanding athletes, who boast high chance ofseizing medals.
He said while the target to be ranked thirdat the upcoming SEA Games is important, the long-term goal should be definingpotential athletes and priority sports for intensive investment, in order toachieve breakthrough performances at not only SEA Games 29 but also the 2018 AsianGames and Olympic.-VNA
VNA
