Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc presented the flag of departure to athletes attending the 33rd SEA Games.

At the ceremony to send off the Vietnamese sports delegation from the southern region to the 33rd SEA Games, Chairman of the People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc presented the national flag to the athletes' representatives, encouraging the spirit of the forces competing in the regional sports festival.

The ceremony to send off the Vietnamese sports delegation from the southern region - Ho Chi Minh City to the 33rd SEA Games took place on the morning of November 21. The ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports Tran The Thuan, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism Pham Huy Binh, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Nam Nhan, Deputy Director of the Department of Physical Training and Sports Nguyen Hong Minh, Director of the National Sports Training Center Pham Thanh Tu and many coaches and athletes attending the regional sports festival in 2025.

Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc presented the flag of departure to representatives of the southern region - Ho Chi Minh City athletes attending the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand.

PHOTO: THIEN DUC

SEA Games 33 will be more competitive

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Nam Nhan said: "The 33rd SEA Games will be held in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla with 55 sports. The number of events has been reduced to 274, making the competition more fierce. It is expected that more than 12,500 athletes will participate - the largest scale event in history. The Vietnamese sports delegation aims to be in the top 3 of the entire delegation. Ho Chi Minh City's goal is integrated into the common goal of the southern region: determined to continue to be the locality that contributes the most gold medals, creating motivation and inspiration for localities to work together to achieve higher achievements.

This year, Ho Chi Minh City continues to contribute 59 coaches and 258 athletes, participating in 37/45 sports that the Vietnamese delegation registered. Southern provinces such as Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Can Tho ... also contributed significantly, creating a united, strong force, not only representing a locality, but also representing the entire southern region - a land of love, resilience and always full of aspirations to rise. Each athlete stepping onto the stage not only carries the red flag with a yellow star, but also carries the expectations of millions of Vietnamese hearts; carries the hope of the people of the southern provinces, carries the indomitable spirit, chivalry and aspiration to rise of the land of the Fatherland. We deeply believe that: with serious preparation, strong direction from the industry, support from localities, and most importantly - with the mettle, will and dedication of the athletes, the Vietnamese sports delegation in the southern region will achieve high results, compete beautifully, dedicate themselves and confidently shine at the 33rd SEA Games."

Representing the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, Vice Chairwoman Tran Thi Dieu Thuy donated 300 million VND to the National Sports Training Center.

PHOTO: THIEN DUC

Southern region sports teams - Ho Chi Minh City plays a key role

Deputy Director of the Department of Sports and Physical Training Nguyen Hong Minh said that in recent times, national sports teams have focused on training, trying to overcome many difficulties, improving physical strength, improving expertise, and accumulating international competition experience to strive for many high achievements at the 33rd SEA Games. In that general picture, sports teams training in Ho Chi Minh City continue to play a core role, contributing a large number of athletes and coaches with rich experience and high professional qualifications to many national teams.

"Many athletes from Ho Chi Minh City are holding key positions in key sports such as athletics, swimming, gymnastics, fencing, taekwondo, karate, weightlifting... At the same time, the young, well-trained force of Ho Chi Minh City promises to be an important source of contribution to the medal target of the Vietnamese sports delegation at the 33rd SEA Games. In addition, Ho Chi Minh City is a pioneer in applying sports science , biomedicine and modern training technology; building a methodical and professional training system. The comprehensive preparation of the sports force training in Ho Chi Minh City will contribute significantly to the common goal, helping the Vietnamese sports delegation affirm its position at this SEA Games", Mr. Minh emphasized.

Athletes and leaders offer flowers at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Saigon ward (HCMC) on the morning of November 21.

PHOTO: THIEN DUC

Representatives of the Vietnamese sports delegation in the southern region swore to strive to compete and achieve good results at the 33rd SEA Games.

PHOTO: THIEN DUC

The Vietnam Sports Administration hopes that each coach and athlete will demonstrate their mettle, professionalism, solidarity and determination to achieve success. The training teams in Ho Chi Minh City - the core force in many sports - need to continue to promote their leading role and be the foundation for the achievements of the Vietnamese sports delegation participating in the 33rd SEA Games. At the 33rd SEA Games, Vietnamese sports aim to win 90-100 gold medals and maintain their position in the leading group in the region. Ho Chi Minh City athletes are expected to contribute an important part to this target number of medals, especially in their strong events. This is both an honor and a responsibility of the sports teams and athletes in Ho Chi Minh City for the overall achievements of Vietnamese sports.

In addition, sports teams, especially those from Ho Chi Minh City, need to set an example in implementing the regulations of the organizing committee and the competition rules, especially the regulations on anti-doping, to protect the purity, honor and reputation of Vietnamese sports; at the same time, they need to demonstrate the noble sportsmanship, civilized and professional behavior, worthy of being the country's image ambassadors to international friends.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chu-tich-ubnd-tphcm-nguyen-van-duoc-trao-co-xuat-quan-cho-vdv-du-sea-games-33-185251121095914818.htm