Nation welcomes Vietnamese athletes
Date: 23-11-2003
Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamViet Nam |
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The Vietnamese sports delegation to the 22nd SEA Games made its debut at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on Saturday evening.
Head of the Vietnamese sports delegation, Nguyen Hong Minh reported on Vietnamese athletes’ preparations for competition at the Games. The Vietnamese delegation comprises 1,005 persons, including 759 athletes, 13 leading officials, 36 chief coaches, 117 coaches, 32 experts and 23 physicians.
On behalf of the Vietnamese athletes, Asian body builder champion Ly Duc took an oath to try his best to compete for the honour of the country, in the spirit of solidarity, honesty and nobleness.
Head of the National SEA Games Steering Committee, Deputy PM Khiem conveyed the best wishes from the Party and State leaders and people throughout the country to the delegation. He also called for friendly support for all Vietnamese and foreign athletes competing in the events for a SEA Games of unity, cooperation, peace and development.
A special music gala ‘Welcome to SEA Games 22’ was held in anticipation of the Games, with the participation of thousands of national professional artists, dancers and models. Music pop stars Hong Nhung, Lam Truong, My Tam and Phuong Thanh, together with the Wall and Trio 666 bands, warmed up the SEA Games atmosphere.
Earlier, a torch procession took place at Hung Kings Temple in the midland province of Phu Tho. The torch was carried by national leading athletes Ly Duc (Asian body-builder champion), Vu Kim Anh (Asian Karatedo gold medallist), Nguyen Thuy Hien (World Wushu champion), Nguyen Duy Bang (national high-jump champion), and Bui Thi Nhung (Asian high-jump champion). The procession passed Hanoi’s Ba Dinh Square, August Revolution Square, Restored Sword lake, and major roads including Ba Trieu, Hai Ba Trung, Dai Co Viet, Giai Phong, Truong Chinh, Nguyen Trai and Lang-Hoa Lac, before reaching the national stadium.
*** The Ministry of Public Security and Hanoi Police have devised plans to ensure security for participating delegates and athletes. By November, Hanoi Police had organised five rehearsal programs on fire prevention, traffic order and safety. About 2,000 policemen will be recruited to ensure security for leaders, visiting guests, athletes and spectators on the opening day (Dec. 5) and the closing day (Dec. 13).
*** Minister of Health, Tran Thi Trung Chien said the Ministry would cooperate with relevant agencies to enhance food hygiene inspection at hotels, restaurants, and food processing establishments. Inspection will be also intensified at border gates, and international airports to prevent possible outbreak of epidemics, especially infectious diseases.
Hanoi will host 17 out of 32 sporting events to be competed at the Games.
*** Meanwhile, preparations are under way in HCM City for a spectacular entertainment programme to welcome the opening of the 22nd SEA Games on December 5. Trinh Viet Ha, General Director of the programme said audiences would be entertained in a festive atmosphere dominated by music and dance.
The opening ceremony will be held on the evening of December 5 at Phu Tho Stadium, involving more than 1,000 singers, dancers and stage artists who will perform on a massive two-tiered stage. The three-part programme will begin with the 22nd SEA Games theme written by HCM City composers and presented by professional dancing and singing troupes.
The main part and final of the programme will be taken over by 110 singers and 300 dancers who will present many well-known Vietnamese songs, and also official songs of the previous SEA Games.
The musical extravaganza will conclude with HCM City pop stars My Tam, Lam Truong, Phuong Thanh, My Le and Dan Truong singing 'Vi Mot The Gioi Ngay Mai' (For Tomorrow's World), the official song of the 22nd SEA Games accompanied by various musicians.
HCM City authorities have spent US$128,000 on the programme which will also include a fashion show featuring a collection of 54 costumes of Vietnam's various ethnic groups designed by painter Sy Hoang.
