A total of over 1,300 athletes from 30 localities nationwide are competing in the ongoing National Sports Games for People with Disabilities 2018, which is running from 9 to 13 July.

A view of the opening ceremony of the National Sports Games for People with Disabilities 2018 (Photo: danang.gov.vn)

The intention is to select outstanding Vietnamese athletes with physical disabilities for the 2018 Asian Para Games, also known as the 3rd Asian Para Games, parallels the 2018 Asian Games, as a multi-sport event for Asian athletes with disability. This event will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 6 to 13 October.

The ongoing tournament is taking place at the Tien Son Sports Arena, the Chi Lang Stadium, and the headquarters of the municipal Swimming Club.

The athletes are competing for 700 sets of medals in 9 sports events, namely swimming, athletics, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, chess, tennis, boccia, and judo.

At the opening ceremony held on Monday at the Tien Son Sports Arena, Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc Tuan and Deputy General Director of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training Pham Van Tuan jointly presented awarded the third-class Labour Medals from the State President to a total of 8 coaches and athletes in recognition of their excellent achievements at the Asian Para Games in the previous years. Also, over 10 coaches and athletes in total received Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister.