Opening of the 13th Southeast Asian School Games in Da Nang

NDO - The opening ceremony of the 13th ASEAN Schools Games (ASG) with the message "Connect and shine" officially took place at Tien Son Sports Palace, Da Nang city.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha performs the torch lighting ceremony of the 13th Southeast Asian School Games in Vietnam.

Attending the opening ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Minister ofEducation and Training Nguyen Kim Son, Head of the Congress Steering Committee, Secretary of the Da Nang City Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang; Secretary of the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee Luong Nguyen Minh Triet; Mr. Bayu Rahadian, Sp.Kj - General Secretary of the Indonesian Student Sports Council, who is holding the role of National Chairman of the Southeast Asian Student Sports Council, representatives of the Steering Committee, Organizing Committee, representatives of sports delegations of countries attending the Congress;...

Along with the opening announcement, the flame of the Southeast Asian School Games was lit on the stage by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha. The flame symbolizes the enthusiasm of Southeast Asian youth, while promoting the spirit of solidarity and friendship among countries in the region.

The event also featured the flag-raising ceremony of the Southeast Asian Student Sports Council and the Games flag, marking the official start of the exciting sports festival.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha declared the opening of the 13th Southeast Asian School Sports Festival in Vietnam.

The 13th Southeast Asian School Games with more than 1,300 student athletes and coaches from 10 countries in the region. Vietnam has 190 members participating in 6/6 sports of the Games.

The highlight of the opening day was the solemn parade of 10 sports delegations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and host Vietnam. In their typical costumes, the student sports delegations brought a healthy, friendly beauty with bright smiles, expressing solidarity, friendship and honoring the spirit of sportsmanship.

Delegates attend the opening ceremony of the 13th Southeast Asian School Sports Festival in Vietnam.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, Head of the Congress Steering Committee, shared: “The Southeast Asian School Sports Festival is the largest sports festival for high school students in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to promote solidarity, international friendship, respect and mutual understanding among countries for the harmonious physical and mental development of students, for a young generation of Southeast Asia to integrate and develop.

Not only a place to honor sports talents, the 13th Southeast Asian School Sports Festival is an opportunity for students from 10 ASEAN countries to exchange, learn and connect, in line with the spirit of "Connecting to shine together".

The 13th Southeast Asian School Games officially opened

Mr. Bayu Rahadian, Sp.Kj - Secretary General of the Indonesian Student Sports Council, affirmed: On behalf of the President of the Southeast Asian Student Sports Council, Indonesia expressed its gratitude to the host country of the 13th Southeast Asian Student Sports Games held in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Your exceptional hospitality and warm welcome made this event a memorable experience for all delegates.

Solemn opening ceremony of the 13th Southeast Asian School Sports Festival at Tien Son Sports Palace, Da Nang city

The Games are more than just a sporting event, they are a platform to promote friendship, cross-cultural understanding and building a common community among our nations. Through the Games, we aim to promote not only excellence in sports but also the values of mutual respect, team spirit and solidarity.

“As we embark on this exciting journey in the coming days, let us celebrate the diversity and unity that our ASEAN community represents. Let the games be a testament to our shared vision of peace, friendship and cooperation among nations,” said Bayu Rahadian, Sp.Kj, Secretary General of the Indonesian Student Sports Council.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City Le Trung Chinh expressed: Since being chosen to host the Congress, Da Nang City has closely coordinated with central departments, ministries and branches to carry out all preparations and get ready for the competition of student sports delegations.

We also wish and hope that our delegates and young athletes will have interesting and memorable experiences when exploring this young and beautiful city of Da Nang with its charming beaches and beautiful natural landscapes. The city government and people have been working hard to build Da Nang into a civilized, modern, attractive, safe, friendly and hospitable city.

Chairman of Da Nang City People's Committee Le Trung Chinh

With the theme “Asean - Connecting and Shining Together”, the Congress will be a bridge, an opportunity for us to introduce the colors and characteristics of Southeast Asian countries, to together fan the flames of desire, belief in victory - where the light of belief and human strength are built on the foundation of solidarity, friendship, cooperation and development, all “For a stronger Southeast Asia - a powerful and prosperous Southeast Asia”.

At the event, representatives of the Referee Board and athletes' representatives took an oath to ensure that the Games were held fairly, honestly, objectively and in the spirit of noble sportsmanship.

With the message "Connecting and Shining", the 13th Southeast Asian School Sports Festival took place from May 29 to June 9 with 6 sports and 107 competitions, corresponding to 107 sets of medals. Of which, swimming has 36 sets of medals, basketball has 2 sets of medals, badminton has 7 sets of medals, athletics has 36 sets of medals, Pencak Silat has 16 sets of medals and Vovinam has 10 sets of medals.

The flag-raising ceremony of the Southeast Asian School Sports Council and the Games flag, marking the official start of the exciting sports festival

The mascot of the Congress is the red-shanked douc langur, a rare animal in the Vietnam Red Book, classified as “Endangered” by the World Conservation Organization as well as Vietnam. Through the image of this mascot, the 13th ASG also conveys the message of environmental protection to each student in particular and the community in general.

Earlier, on the same morning, the flag-raising ceremony of the participating countries was solemnly held at Tien Son Sports Palace to welcome the student sports delegations from various countries to attend the Southeast Asian Student Sports Festival.

NEWS AND PHOTOS: ANH DAO

Source