VietNamNet Bridge – The second Asian Beach Games started in Oman this morning with more than 2,000 athletes and coaches from 45 countries and territories participating.

The country's first multi-sport continental sports extravaganza in the capital, Muscat, is part of its 40th National Day celebrations.

International Olympic Committee, IOC, Chairman Jacques Rogge and Olympic Council Asia, OCA, Chairman Shaikh Ahmed al Fahad al Sabah were among the dignitaries, including sports men and women, who attended the opening in the purpose-built Al Musannah Sports City.

"It's the first Asian Beach Games held in Oman – the second overall – and the first major games in which Oman is involved," said IOC member and OCA deputy chairman Habib Macki.

But these games were also different because of the variety of sports that had been added to volleyball, football and basketball, he said.

Games such as woodball, beach kabaddi and sepak takraw would be introduced to Oman and in the region.

The athletes will compete in 12 beach sports.

HCM City Sports and Physical Training College principle Lam Quang Thanh leads the 14-strong Viet Nam team which will contest seven events.

The team pocketed two gold, five silver and three bronze medals and was ranked eighth of 42 at the last games has set a target of one to two gold medals this time.

Success will put them in the top ten.

Bodybuilders Pham Van Mach and Nguyen Van Lam are favoured to meet the challenge.

World champion Mach won silver in the men's 55kg class last Games and Lam is defending men's 65kg champion.

The women's sepak takraw team, which will compete in a round-robin format of five teams including tough Thailand, is also a chance.

The games end on Thursday, December 16.

The biannual Games were first held in Bali, Indonesia in October 2008 and Haiyang, China, will host the next.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News