The program received the presence of Mr Tran Duc Phan, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Sport Administration and Chef de Mission of Vietnam Sport Contingent participating in the 29th SEA Games; Mr Huynh Uy Dung, Vice President of Vietnam Olympic Committee; Mr Tran Van Manh, Secretary General of Vietnam Olympic Committee; Mr Huynh Cach Manh, Vice President of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh city; Mr Huynh Thanh Nhan, Director of the Department of Culture and Sport of Ho Chi Minh city.
After paying tribute to former President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Ho Chi Minh, the opening ceremony began in an exciting and solemn atmosphere. Mr Huynh Uy Dung, Vice President of Vietnam Olympic Committee launched the march with a gun fire with the company of 200 officials, coaches and athletes of the Vietnam Sport Contingent and over 5000 people. Musical, cultural and sport performances also took place to enliven the event.
The objective ofthe Send-off and Marching Program for supporting Vietnam Sport Contingent participating the 29th SEA Gamesis to support and encourage athletes and coaches of the Vietnam Sport Contingent competing in the 29th SEA Games. According to Mr Mai Ba Hung, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sport of Ho Chi Minh city, the succesful organisation of this event will serve as the a spiritual gift for supporting athletes and coaches of the Vietnam Sport Contingent participating the 29th SEA Games.
The Vietnam Sport Contingent participating in the 29th SEA Games comprises 681 members of which there are 476 athletes competing in 32 sports. The Vietnam Sport Contingent of the South region of the country consists of 200 members competing in 18 sports and aim at winning from 10 to 12 gold medals in Swimming, Athletics, Artistic Gymnastics, Muay, Fencing, Weightlifting, Cycling… However, the sports that are advantageous to Vietnam (i.e. Wrestling, Rowing and Canoeing…) will not be included in the Sport Program of the 29th SEA Games./.