The opening ceremony of the 9^th edition of the Da Nang Sports Games took place at the city’s Tien Son Sports Arena on Sunday.

Da Nang Party Committee Deputy Secretary cum municipal People's Council Chairman Luong Nguyen Minh Triet presenting flowers to representatives from participating sports delegations

In attendance at the event were Deputy Director of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training Nguyen Hong Minh, Da Nang Party Committee Deputy Secretary cum municipal People's Council Chairman Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, Da Nang Party Committee Deputy Secretary cum municipal People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh, and municipal People's Committee Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim Yen.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim Yen, Head of the organising board of the sports event, said that in addition to well fulfilling the city’s socio-economic development tasks, especially the COVID-19 prevention and control work, the city leaders also paid special attention to promoting the development of sports movements in the city in order to improve local people's spiritual life and physical health, and develop human resources for the city’s sports sector.

The Da Nang Sports Games 2022 was a living proof of the strong return of the city's sports movements after a long hiatus due to the COVID-19.

“The world has changed over the years and sport is no exception in the new normal. Sports Games at grassroots level have been successfully organised in preparation for the municipal-level sporting event, showing the recovery and development of mass sports movements in the city”, noted Vice Chairwoman Yen.

She also highlighted the significance of the sporting event in evaluating the development of local sports movements, as well as selecting excellent athletes for the city’s teams to prepare for the forthcoming 9^th National Sports Games 2022.

The opening ceremony saw the participation of 22 parade teams representing sports delegations, along with more than 3,000 athletes.

The arts performances at the ceremony had the participation of 350 actors and volunteers.

After the parade, and the traditional processions of national flags and Uncle Ho's photo, 9 outstanding Da Nang athletes carried the official torch flame of the Da Nang Sports Games from the Military Zone 5 branch of the Ho Chi Minh Museum to the Tien Son Sports Arena to serve the opening ceremony and during the Games.

During the Games, about 3,000 athletes will compete in 21 sports, and ethnic and modern disciplines, including chess, Chinese chess, cross-country running, table tennis, billiards, traditional martial arts, vovinam, men's and women's indoor volleyball, and men's and women's beach volleyball, men's and women's futsal, men's beach football, athletics, swimming, karate, taekwondo and badminton.

Currently, 16 out of 21 sports have already been organised. Hai Chau District temporarily take lead the medal table with 15 gold, 12 silver and 17 bronze medals.

It is followed by Thanh Khe District with 12 gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze medals, Ngu Hanh Son District with 9 gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze medals, Son Tra District with 9 gold, 5 silver and 8 bronze medals, Hoa Vang District with 5 gold, 5 silver and 10 bronze medals, Cam Le District with 5 gold, 3 silver and 10 bronze medals, and Lien Chieu District with 4 gold, 12 silver and 14 bronze medals.

After the opening ceremony of the Games, the competitions of karate, track and field, swimming, taekwondo and badminton were being held.

The Da Nang leaders and delegates at the opening ceremony of the Da Nang Sports Games 2022

Da Nang Party Committee Deputy Secretary cum municipal People's Council Chairman Luong Nguyen Minh Triet performing the torch lighting ceremony

Da Nang Party Committee Deputy Secretary cum municipal People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh giving flowers to participating athletes

The Hai Chau District sports delegation in the parade. Photo: P.N

The Son Tra District sports delegation in the parade. Photo: P.N

A large number of athletes attending the opening ceremony. Photo: P.N

An elaborately staged dancing performance at the opening ceremony. Photo: P.N

Local pupils performing a flash mob at the opening ceremony. Photo: P.N

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG