Vietnam aims for top three of 30th SEA Games

Saturday, November 30, 2019 | 17:09:00

(VOVWORLD) - The 2019 Southeast Asian Games officially opens today with the staging of a glitzy opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. It will be the first time in the 60-year history of the regional meet that the opening show will be held indoors, taking place in the world's largest indoor arena with a 55,000 seating capacity.

Vietnam aims for top three of 30th SEA Games - ảnh 1

A ceremony to send off Vietnam’s sport contingent to the 30^th SEA Games (Photo: VOV)

Vietnam set a goal to finish in the top three of the Southeast Asian Games’ medal table. The 856-strong contingent including 568 athletes will take part in 43 out of 56 sports in the Philippines. After months of preparation, athletes will try thier best to win at least 65 gold to be one of top three teams. Vietnamese athletes will work hard to keep our No 1 ranking as well as good results in track-and-field, swimming, gymnastics, fencing and wrestling, which are also Olympic events. Coach Truong Minh Sang: “Of course our most challenging contestant is ourselves. We need to overcome ourselves and try our best as we have prepared well for this competition since early this year. I hope the athletes will gain outstanding victories.”

The track-and-field have been set a tough goal of 15 golds. Quach Thi Lan is one of the team members: “I feel upbeat and eager to compete. I have tried my best this year and hope to excel myself and my own records.”

Vietnam aims for top three of 30th SEA Games - ảnh 2

Vietnam’s SEA Games contingent includes 568 athletes competing in 40 sports events.

Tran Duc Phan, head of the delegation and deputy head of the Viet Nam Sports Administration, said all athletes were ready and determined to do their best at the regional biennial event: “We are all ready for the competition. We are always aware of our task to do our best to be deserved with people’s love. After months of preparation, we - athletes, coaches and supporting staff - are ready, confident and can’t wait to compete at the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines. We know that challenges and difficulties are waiting ahead but we will try our best to win at least 65 gold to be one of top three teams”