Quynh faces top seeds at Asian Cup


Viet Nam's top player Tran Tuan Quynh will compete at the Asian Cup in Yokohama, Japan on March 26-27, according to the Viet Nam Table Tennis Federation (VTTF).

Quynh, who is ranked 238th in the world, is the only Vietnamese player expected to compete in the continental tournament.

The Asian Cup organising committee invited only the top 32 male and female players from Asian countries to compete in the event.

The left-hander will be up against stiff competition in the form of China's Ma Lin and Chen Qui, Japan's Jun Mizutani and South Korea's Oh Sang Eun in the men's singles knock-out competition.

"It's the first time a Vietnamese player has won a berth at the Asian Cup. Quynh is the highest ranked Vietnamese player in the world, so he will represent Viet Nam at the Cup," VTTF's general secretary Pham Duc Thanh told Viet Nam News.

"It's an honour for Quynh, but it will also be a tough job as he will be competing with giants from China, Japan and South Korea," Thanh added.

Last week, the 29-year-old and his teammate Phan Huy Hoang moved from Ha Noi to Ha Noi T&T on five-year contracts.

Quynh took the Southeast Asian Championship in 2002 and the Southeast Asian Games Championship in 2003.


Tennis prodigy moves up rankings


Young Vietnamese tennis player Nguyen Hoang Thien has moved up nine places from 234th to 225th in the world junior rankings this month, the International Tennis Federation announced on Tuesday.

The HCM City native won the doubles title at the Malacca International Junior Championship for under-18 players in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last Friday.

Earlier, Thien, 16, won the doubles crown at the Tennis Central 18 & under ITF Summer Championship in New Zealand.


National Judo Clubs Cup to open


More than 250 martial artists from 34 teams nationwide will compete at the National Judo Clubs Cup in Nha Trang City from March 21-27.

The cup will host 20 events that are open to both women and men.


Volleyball tournament hits Bac Ninh


The women's volleyball tournament, Spring Cup-Lien Viet Bank, kicked off yesterday at Bac Ninh Gymnasium in Bac Ninh Province.

Four leading teams including Vietsov Petro, Viet Nam Bank for Industry and Trade, PV Oil Thai Binh and the hosts Lien Viet Bank will battle it out on the court.

The winning team will receive VND100million (US$4,500).


Asian football chief to visit VN


Asian Football Confederation president Mohammed Bin Hamman will arrive in Viet Nam on March 26 for the AID27 conference to be held in HCM City.

AID27, held as part of the Vision Asia project, provides financial assistance to certain AFC member associations to help them hire qualified coaches.

Vision Asia is aimed at developing grassroots and youth football.

Viet Nam is one of six countries in Southeast Asia benefiting from the programme under which the AFC funds and sends experts to provide training for coaches and referees and for officials in administration and marketing.

Around 30 Vietnamese coaches receive financial support from AFC. Vision Asia has been implemented in Viet Nam for many years, starting in Long An. After HCM City, Thua Thien Hue Province will be the next beneficiary.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News