Huong named one of the best runners in Asia

Viet Nam’s Vu Thi Huong was named one of the best indoor runners of 2009 by the Asian Athletics Association (AAA).

Although she could not take part in three rounds of the Asian Grand Prix because of injury, Huong won a gold medal and set a new 60m record at the third Asian Indoor Games last November. She later grabbed two golds and one silver at the 25th SEA Games in Laos last December and won two silvers at the Asian championship.

Huong is the only Vietnamese athlete to make it on to the AAA’s list. Thai heptathlete Wassanee Winatho was the only other athlete from Southeast Asia to be honoured by the AAA.

Injury forces international referee into retirement

Three-time Golden Whistle winner Duong Van Hien has announced his retirement because of long-term injury.

Hien suffered a ligament injury just days ahead of the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane last month. Doctors said he needed to take at least a year off to fully recover after surgery.

Under FIFA age rules, the 44-year-old HCM City-born referee could have worked for another two years.

V-League referees Dang Thanh Ha, Le Quoc An and Tran Khanh Hung have also retired.

Mountain climbing kicks off National Sports Festival

The 2010 National Sports Festival kicks off today.

Athletes will compete in 41 events for 903 sets of medals.

The festival begins today with mountain climbing in Binh Phuoc, which will be followed by aerobics, dancing, judo and football events.

The festival’s second stage will take place in central Da Nang City in December and will include diving, canoeing, rowing, weightlifting, basketball, billiards and volleyball.

The festival is held every four years. — VNS