The gymnasium of Bac Giang province, which is the venue of badminton matches at the 31st SEA Games (Photo: VNA)Ngyen Trong Bac, Deputy Director ofthe provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the matches willtake place at the province’s gymnasium in Dinh Ke ward of Bac Giang city fromMay 16 to 22. This 4,500-seat gymnasium meets international standards and isone of the most modern of its kind in the northern region.
To prepare for the Games, the provincehas spent nearly 10 billion VND (437,300 USD) on upgrading this venue andprocuring new equipment, he said, adding that communications activities have also beenpromoted, with statues of Saola - the mascot of Sea Games 31,banners, and posters placed across Bac Giang city.
The provincial Department of Healthand relevant agencies has selected 20 health care personnel and arrangedsufficient medical supplies for the event.
Meanwhile, the recruitment ofvolunteers has been carried out since March. Muong Thanh Bac Giang Hotel, whereathletes will stay while competing here, has also geared up itself for servingdelegations, according to Bac.
As many as 127 athletes from eight countries,namely Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand,Singapore, and Vietnam, are expected to compete in badminton.
The official said this is the firsttime Bac Giang province hosts a regional sports event, and it pledges to createthe best possible conditions for the Games.
Asidefrom the main venue in Hanoi, Bac Giang is one of the 11 other localities that willhost competitions of the 31st SEA Games, slated for May 12 - 23.
TheGames, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will feature 40 sports with 526events and expect to attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event wasinitially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the pandemic’s impact.
Atthe 30th SEA Games in2019, Vietnam finished second in the medal standings, with 98 golds, 85 silversand 105 bronzes, following the hosts the Philippines./.
VNA
