A worker maintains a chair for spectators at a basketball court in Hà Nội's Thanh Trì District. The 31st SEA Games will kick-off in May. VNA Photo Thành Đạt

HÀ NỘI — The 31st SEA Games are fast approaching and the whole country is getting ready to host the event for the second time. In the capital, preparations are almost complete. 

Of the 12 cities and provinces that will host the Games in May, Hà Nội is expected to have completed preparations by March 15.

There are 15 venues assigned by the Hà Nội People's Committee for maintenance, three of which are managed by the city's Department of Culture and Sports.

These three venues include the Mỹ Đình Indoor Athletics Arena, petanque court and culture house, which will be used for bodybuilding and weightlifting competitions.

The other 12 projects managed by People's Committees of districts are: Quần Ngựa Sport Palace (Ba Đình District) and sports arenas in Long Biên, Tây Hồ, Cầu Giấy, Hoàng Mai, Hà Đông, Bắc Từ Liêm, Gia Lâm, Thanh Trì, Hoài Đức, Sóc Sơn and Đan Phượng districts.

As well as these locations, Vingroup’s Royal City in Thanh Xuân District will host the Game’s bowling competition, and has met the requirements of the Bowling Federation.

All of the facilities are on-schedule for the opening of the Games, except for those in Tây Hồ and Đan Phượng districts, where sports arenas were previously used as COVID-19 treatment areas.

All facility upgrades and maintenance must be completed before the inspection by the Southeast Asian Sports Federation on March 18 and 19.

Modern lighting systems ready for use on a football field. VNA Photo Thành Đạt

Athlete preparation

Hà Nội has contributed 39 of the 134 coaches and 163 of the 588 athletes for the national team, across 22 sports, the General Department of Physical Education and Sports has said. Of these Hanoian coaches, 14 are currently head coaches of national teams.

The capital is aiming to contribute more than 30 per cent of the gold medals at the Games and is sending athletes abroad for training.

The city expects to achieve 40 gold medals, 33 silver medals and 31 bronze medals. The country as a whole is aiming for 140 gold medals, 77 silver medals and 71 bronze medals.

Hà Nội will strive to send as many coaches and athletes as possible to the Games.

As well as facilities and athletes' preparations, there is still a lot of tasks to take care of.

The city is coordinating with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to hold the opening and closing ceremonies and other ceremonial, cultural and artistic activities.

Hà Nội is also working with the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Transport to ensure security and safety and organise traffic flow in the capital, to deliver convenient and fast transportation for sports delegations.

The event will be supported by hundreds of volunteers and, to an extent, all citizens of the capital, as the city deploys decorations on the roads and encourages everyone to help build the image of Hà Nội as an attractive, safe and friendly destination.

The SEA Games will take place from May 12 to May 23 in Hà Nội and 11 other cities and provinces of Hải Phòng, Bắc Ninh, Hải Dương, Quảng Ninh, Hà Nam, Nam Định, Ninh Bình, Hoà Bình, Vĩnh Phúc, Phú Thọ and Bắc Giang.

This is the second time Việt Nam has hosted the Southeast Asian Games, the last being in 2003.

The SEA Games were scheduled to run from November 21 to December 2, 2021. However, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Games will feature over 40 sports, and 526 events with the attendance of some 10,000 athletes and officials from 11 Southeast Asian countries. VNS