Vietnam competes at Asian Beach Games in China

Ninety-one Vietnamese athletes have begun fierce competitions against rivals from more than 40 countries and territories at the third Asian Beach Games.

Vietnamese athletes at the Games

Ninety-one Vietnamese athletes have begun fierce competitions against rivals from more than 40 countries and territories at the third Asian Beach Games, which opened in Hai Yang city, China, on June 16.

They are competing in 9 out of 13 sports of the games, namely Sepak takraw, woodball, volleyball, handball, basketball, football, roller speed skating, sport climbing, and dragon boating.

Lam Quang Thanh, head of the 128-member Vietnamese delegation, said Vietnam strives to be among the top ten strongest nations at the event.

Vietnam also wants to learn from China’s organisational experience when it hosts the 5th Asian Beach Games in 2016.

The first Asian Beach Games, held in Indonesia in 2008, attracted 1,665 athletes from 42 countries and territories, competing in 19 sports. Vietnam sent 55 athletes to the Games and ranked 8th on the medal tally with 2 golds, 5 silvers and 3 bronzes.

The second event, held in Oman in 2010, drew 1,146 athletes from 32 countries and territories competing in 14 sports. With 73 athletes taking part, Vietnam was placed 14th on the medal tally, winning a total of 4 silvers and 4 bronzes.