The Ministry of Education and Training and the People's Committee of Da Nang held a meeting on Friday to deploy the preparation and organisation of the 13^th ASEAN Schools Games.

Minister of Education and Trainer Nguyen Kim Son, and Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Le Trung Chinh co-chaired the meeting.

Minister of Education and Trainer Nguyen Kim Son, and Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Le Trung Chinh co-chaired the meeting on Friday.

Speaking at the event, Chairman Chinh said that after 10 years, 2024 will mark the return of the ASEAN Schools Games to Viet Nam, and this is the first time Da Nang has hosted the sporting event.

He informed that local relevant units have recently coordinated with the working group of the Ministry of Education and Training to make good preparations for the forthcoming event.

Up to now, the city has basically prepared facilities, locations, training and competition equipment, food hygiene and safety, security and order in a bid to ensure the success of the upcoming event.

In his closing speech at the meeting, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son highlighted some challenges faced by the organisers as the 13^th ASEAN Schools Games will take place during the period when Da Nang has such important events such as Da Nang International Fireworks Festival and the 10^th grade entrance exams for the 2023-2024 school year.

He, therefore, requested ministries, branches and the municipal government to ensure the best possible conditions for sports delegations to stay and participate in competitions at the forthcoming event.

The 13^th ASEAN School Games is slated to be held in Da Nang from May 31 - June 9.

Sports delegations from ten countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar and Viet Nam, are expected to attend the games.

Participating athletes will compete in six sports, namely athletics, swimming, basketball, badminton, Pencak Silat, and Vovinam. These are popular sports among students in schools in Viet Nam and Southeast Asian countries. At the end of the sports event, organisers will award 107 sets of medals to outstanding athletes in each sport, and give prize to the entire teams.

According to the plan, the competitions will take place at 6 locations including the Tien Son Sports Arena, the Son Tra District-based Cultural and Sports Centre, the Da Nang University’s Sports Centre, the Hoa Xuan athletics stadium, the martial arts gym, and the city’s swimming and diving pool.

Reporting by NGOC HA - Translating by M.DUNG