Vietnam’s flag was hoisted at the athlete village in Jakarta capital of Indonesia at a ceremony on October 5, marking the official presence of the Vietnamese sports delegation to the 2018 Asian Para Games.

Vietnam’s flag was hoisted at the athlete village in Jakarta capital of Indonesia at a ceremony on October 5.

The flag-hoisting ceremony aimed to welcome sports delegations from Asian nations and territories to the games, which will take place from October 6-13.

Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Paralympic Association Vu The Phiet, head of the delegation, said Vietnamese athletes aim to learn from international friends and promote the country’s image at the continental sporting event. 

The delegation is determined to earn outstanding achievements particularly in athletics, swimming, and weightlifting, in which Vietnam has gained high results in major international competitions, he noted.

The Vietnamese delegation comprises 75 members, including 52 athletes and 11 coaches and caretakers.

They will compete in seven out of 18 sports, namely swimming, track and field, weightlifting, chess, badminton, table tennis and judo.

The Asian Para Games, which follows the Asian Games (ASIAD) every four years, will attract athletes from 45 countries and territories in Asia. 

The event aims to foster friendship, solidarity, and mutual understanding among regional countries.

At the previous Asian Para Games in 2014, Vietnam won nine gold, seven silver, and 13 bronze medals, finishing 10th in the overall medal tally.–VNA