VietNamNet Bridge – The first Northern Vovinam (Vietnamese martial arts) Championships kicked off last Friday with the participation of nearly 270 athletes from 23 delegations at the Trinh Hoai Duc Gymnasium in Ha Noi.

Martial artists will compete in nine categories for women and 11 for men, with 38 medal sets in both performance and combat up for grabs.

The finals are scheduled for Sunday.

Success at the event will be an important indicator for sports leaders who are thinking about national team selections for the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia next December.

* AVG secures broadcast rights

Viet Nam Athletics Federation (VAF) has signed a broadcasting rights contract with media company Global Audio Visual (AVG), opening a new chapter in the sport's history.

"It will be good for both sides as people will get a chance to learn more about our activities while the company will also benefit from advertising," said Nguyen Manh Hung, an official from the VAF.

Under the 20-year contract starting from 2011, AVG will own the sole rights to the country's biggest tournaments including the National Championships, the National Youth Championships and the National Age-Group Championships.

Its value was undisclosed but officials expected that it will play a key role in supporting athletes with training facilities and intensive training courses abroad.

VAF is the media firm's second Vietnamese partner, following a recent deal that the Viet Nam Football Federation struck with AVG, also for 20 years.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News