HANOI: The Vietnamese government has approved the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’s proposal to hold the 31st Southeast Asian Games (Sea Games 31) and the 11th Asean Para Games (Para Games 11) in Vietnam in 2021, reported Vietnam News, a daily English language newspaper.
The Cabinet assigned Hanoi as the host city after successfully holding the SEA Games 22 in 2003, the Asian Indoor Games in 2009 and several other international sporting events.
The ministry’s proposal was made after the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) informed Vietnam it would have the right to host the SEA Games 31.
The federation said Cambodia, scheduled to host SEA Games 31, proposed postponing hosting until the next Games in 2023 as it is not ready.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc lauded the determination of the culture, sports and tourism sector, as well as of Hanoi and relevant ministries and agencies.
Hosting the events is both the responsibility and honour of Vietnam as a constructive member of ASEAN, he said, adding it will be also a chance to promote the Vietnamese land and people.
The leader asked Hanoi to complete infrastructure, set forth a detailed plan on the organisation of the events and mobilise the participation of different economic sectors in these efforts.
According to the ministry, the SEA Games 31 will last for about 17 days and Para Games 11 about 11 days, from October to December 2021. Some 11,000 athletes and coaches are expected to participate in SEA Games 31, with 2,100 to join Para Games 11. — BERNAMA
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