VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Khanh Hai urged Vietnamese athletes to unite with each other at the upcoming ASEAN Para Games in Indonesia.

Aspirations: Table tennis player Vu Van Xoan (left) during a training session in Ha Noi. Xoan, a key player, will be competing in the ASEAN Para Games in Indonesia next week. (Photo: VNS)
"The Para Games is the biggest sports festival for regional athletes with disabilities. It is a chance for our athletes to show off their talent as well as make friends and exchange experiences," Hai said at the sending-off ceremony in Ha Noi on Saturday.

"All members of the team should try their best to complete their duty and contribute to the success of the Games," he said.

The deputy minister appreciated athletes with disabilities who had played key roles in developing national sport. Their success had encouraged disabled people to take part in sporting activities to improve their strength, re-integrate into the community and help Viet Nam excel at international competitions.

At the ceremony, Hai also asked the athletes to obey the rules and regulations of the competition and create a positive image of Viet Nam and its people.

The 164-member Vietnamese delegation headed by Vu The Phiet, vice chairman of the Viet Nam Paralympics Committee, will compete in seven out of 11 sports, including track and field, badminton, weightlifting, swimming, table tennis, chess and tennis, and hope to finish in the top three overall, grabbing from 70-75 gold medals.

"It is the sixth time Viet Nam have joined in the regional tournament. In our five previous attempts, we did well to end up in the top three," Phiet said.

"However, this year will be difficult because Viet Nam's stronger disciplines are not on show in Indonesia so it will take even more efforts to hit our target," he added.

The ASEAN Para Games serves as an opportunity to prepare athletes for the Paralympic Games.

Table tennis player Vu Van Xoan promised give it his all and bring home glory, and runner Dao Van Cuong, the Games record holder and defending champion, said he was happy and moved by the attention the athletes and event was getting. He said he had prepared well for the event and hoped to win again in Indonesia.

The Para Games will take place in Surakarta on the Indonesian island of Java from December 12-22. At the event in Kuala Lumpur two years ago, Viet Nam bagged 73 gold, 57 silver and 45 bronze medals to rank third in the medal tally.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News