and the safety of participants, said spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang.

The Vietnam Sports Administration (VSA) has suggested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) delay the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) to a more suitable time to ensure COVID-19 prevention and control, and the safety of participants, said spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang.

Hang unveiled the information during the ministry’s regular press conference which was held virtually on July 8, explaining that the delay is due to the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region and the world.

In an interview recently granted to the Vietnam News Agency, VSA Deputy General Director Tran Duc Phan said as originally planned, SEA Games 31 and the 11th ASEAN Para Games will take place later this year.

However, the pandemic prompted the VSA to adjust the plan to submit to the MoCST and suggested the postponement of SEA Games 31 to the first half of next year, he added.

Regional countries back delay of 31st Southeast Asian Games

Representatives of regional nations have agreed not to organise the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam later this year.

At a virtual meeting of the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) Office on July 8, they expressed their concerns over COVID-19 developments in Southeast Asia and said Vietnam should consider postponing the biennial tournament to 2022, preferably in April and May.

After the meeting participated by the representatives of 11 regional countries, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration (VSA) Tran Duc Phan said the SEA Games 31 organising board has already made a report and is waiting for the Government's decision to select the most suitable organisation plan for the event.

As originally planned, SEA Games 31 and the 11th ASEAN Para Games would take place from November 21 to December 2 this year.

Vietnam, set to host the Games for the second time after 18 years, will spend about 69 million USD to hold 40 sports and welcome about 10,000 athletes. They will compete in Hanoi and surrounding cities and provinces./.

Source: VNA

Vietnam granted delay on decision to halt SEA Games

After several back-and-forth discussions failed to materialise in a compromise, organisers of the 31st Southeast Asian Games deferred again last week from making a decision on whether to postpone the competition