VietNamNet Bridge – Vovinam, Vietnam’s traditional martial art, will be included in the list of sports for competition at the 27th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) to be held in Myanmar in 2013.

The Southeast Asian Sports Council made the decision at its recent meeting in Nay Pyi Taw City.

Myanmar had drafted a tentative list of sports which excluded Vovinam and some sports of Vietnam’s strength such as wrestling and gymnastics.

However, at its meeting starting on July 11, the Vietnam Olympic Committee persuaded the SEA Sports Council and the host country to have Vovinam in the list of sports for competition.

Together with other martial arts, Vovinam matches will be held in Nay Pyi Taw City. The fighters will compete in the combat and performance events for 18 sets of medals.

Vietnam pledged to help Myanmar host an international Vovinam pre-SEA Games two months before the biggest sporting event in Southeast Asia takes place.

VietNamNet/VOV online