Games offer free broadcast rights

The Organising Board for the 26th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games has decided that television broadcasting rights for the Games will be free for participating nations.

As host, Indonesia will lose significant marketing revenue but it will benefit from wide-scale coverage of its image in the region's biggest sporting event.

Laos also offered free broadcasting rights to participating countries during the 25th SEA Games.

The 26th Games, which will be held in Jakarta and Palembang on November 11-25, will feature 542 events in 44 sports.

Hai Duong host badminton champs

Nguyen Tien Minh.

Viet Nam's top player Nguyen Tien Minh of HCM City, currently ranked world No 7, will compete in the event to defend the men's title with his teammates.

The men's champion will win VND29 million ($1,300) in gifts and a cash prize VND15 million ($680). The female champion will win only VND22 million ($1,000) in gifts and a cash prize of VND10 million ($450).

Da Nang footballers crush Ben Tre

Hosts Da Nang crushed Ben Tre 11-0 in the opening match of the National SOS Villages Football Championships at the Military Zone 5 Gymnasium on Monday.

The tournament has drawn 12 teams who are competing in four groups for a place in the quarter-finals.

The annual tournament, which is organised by the Nhi Dong (Children's) newspaper, is an opportunity for underprivileged kids from across the country to show off their skills.

"It's become an annual event for kids from SOS villages to celebrate Children's Day during their summer holidays," said head of the organising committee, Tran Quang Dao.

"We hope some of them will go on to become stars in the future."

In other game, HCM City cruised to a 3-0 win over Thanh Hoa.

The organising committee will present awards for the best player, the best goalkeeper and the top scorer, along with a fair-play award.

The championships will finish on Friday.

Married couples take to the green

Pham Thi Ngoc and Nguyen Chi Thanh won the mixed doubles title with a score of 180 in the married couples golf tournament at Tam Dao golf course on Sunday.

Phung Thi Van Anh and Vu Anh Tu took the Best Net Couple (net 139), while Nguyen Kim Phuong won as the women's singles Best Net with 66.

The tournament, which was organised the first time by the Ha Noi Ladies Golf Club, drew 30 married couples from Ha Noi.

Sy returns to coach Ninh Binh

Nguyen Van Sy has returned to coach V-League's Ninh Binh two weeks after resigning following a humiliating 0-4 loss to SHB Da Nang.

This decision was approved by the team's board just one day after Ninh Binh lost to Navibank Sai Gon 3-0 in the 16th round on Sunday.

Sy was Ninh Binh's manager at the start of the season after playing a key role in helping the team get promoted to the V-League in 2009

After Sy left, his assistant Nguyen Duc Canh, was appointed as coach.

Ninh Binh have 18 points after 16 rounds for a 10th place V-League ranking.

Needy kids play at football tourney

The 12th VietCapital Securities Cup, a football tournament for underprivileged children kicked off yesterday at Military Zone 7 Gymnasium.

Eight teams will participate in this event including HCM City 1, HCM City 2, Ha Noi, Gia Lai, Da Nang, Ben Tre, Dong Nai's Rehabilitation Centre 4 and Long An's Rehabilitation Centre 5.

The event, which lasts till June 6, provides a good opportunity for underprivileged children to show their football skills and exchange culture.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News