The Chef De Mission Meeting of the 5^th Asian Beach Games (ABG) was opened in Da Nang on June 1, attracting the participation of over 60 delegates from 38 participating countries and territories across Asia.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Khanh Hai, who is also head of the 5^th ABG organising board, asserted that the city and Viet Nam in general pledge to do the best to make the event successful.

Delegates to the Chef De Mission Meeting of the 5th Asian Beach Games (Source: VNA)

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Dang Viet Dung said the organising board has worked closely with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), heads of sport delegations and the Viet Nam Olympic Committee to prepare for the games

Wei Jizhong, Vice Chairman of the OCA underlined the biennial ABG has become one of the largest sport events not only in the region but also globally. He also lauded the host country for being well prepared and wished the event great success.

The 5^th ABG 2016 will be run from September 24 to October 3, with the participation of about 6,500 athletes, coaches and officials from 45 Asian countries and territories.

The athletes will compete in 14 major sports events for 172 set of medals. The East Sea Park, My Khe beach, Phuong Trang urban beach and Son Thuy seaside resort have been selected to be the event’s competition venues.

The games were initiated by the Olympic Council of Asia and held for the first time in Indonesia’s Bali in 2008.

(Source: VNA)