Vietnam, RoK increase sports cooperation

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO) signed two memoranda of understanding on sports cooperation in Hanoi on March 11.

Accordingly, the Republic of Korea (RoK) will support Vietnam in organizing the 18th Asian Games in 2019 and introduce the track cycling into the country.

Minister Hoang Tuan Anh said assistance from the RoK, a country with strength in sports, has helped Vietnam reap certain achievements, adding that the country hopes to receive more support from the RoK in athlete training.

KSPO Chairman Park Noh Wan hailed Vietnam’s efforts to secure best results at international sports arenas despite poor training conditions.

LienViet Bank defend title in nail-biting finish

Defending champions LienViet Bank retained their hold VTV Binh Dien Volleyball Cup after coming from behind to beat hosts Binh Dien Long An in the final match on March 11.

They were deserving winners of the International Women's Volleyball Tournament in Dak Nong Province, coming from behind twice to win 22-25, 26-24, 22-25, 26-24, 16-14 in a thrilling 165-minute encounter.

Binh Dien Long An showed their high skills during the entire match, forcing their rivals to work hard and keep pace. However, their young players were not experienced enough to maintain their leading position against the national champions.

In the match to decide third place, the Vietinbank team beat China's Weifang.

The tournament winners took the prize money of US$15,000, with the first and second runner-up taking US$8,000 and US$6,000 respectively.

The organisers also presented prizes to the best player, libero, hitter, setter and blocker of the tournament.

Jutatip Maneephan wins fifth stage of cycling open

Thailand's Jutatip Maneephan won the fifth stage of the Binh Duong International Women's Cycling Open yesterday with a time of 2:05.26.

Nguyen Thi That of Vinh Binh An Giang Rice team and Nguyen Phan Ngoc Trang of Binh Duong Water Supply-Drainage and Environment 1 finished second and third, respectively.

The 93km race stretched from Nha Trang City to Phan Rang City in Ninh Thuan Province.

That won both the yellow jersey (best overall time) with a total time of 10:41.39 and green jersey for scoring the most points with a total of 70 points after five stages.

Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap team are leading the team race with a combined time of 32:06.35, followed by Thailand and Binh Duong 1.

Today, 70 riders from 11 Vietnamese teams and three foreign teams will compete in the 85km stage from Phan Rang City to Bac Binh District in Binh Thuan Province.

HCM City dominate women's tennis tourney

HCM City dominated the National Women's Tennis Championships that ended yesterday at the Phu Tho Club.

As the host and the national tennis hub, HCM City won five out of six gold medals for professional players.

The other went to Tay Ninh, who came second. Kiem Giang came third with one silver and two bronze.

The March 7-14 event is the first open to amateur athletes.