Table tennis

The national table tennis team is training hard for the 32nd SEA Games, the nation's most important event of 2023. Photo zing.vn

HÀ NỘI — Any athlete who wins a gold medal from the 32nd Southeast Asian Games' table tennis will receive big bonuses, the Việt Nam Table Tennis Federation (VTTF) has announced.

“The federation expects to have good news from athletes who compete at the SEA Games in Cambodia," said VTTF President Nguyễn Xuân Vũ. "A purse of VNĐ80 million (US$3,400) will be given to a gold medallist. It is respectively VNĐ50 million and VNĐ30 million for the silver and bronze holders."

Earlier, a famous table tennis website representative also promised to give a $1,000 award to every SEA Games table tennis champion.

The national team will also receive sponsorship of training equipment and uniform until the end of the year, along with financial support from different companies and individuals.

On April 11, the team left for Guangzhou, China, for a short training course, a last touch to their SEA Games preparation.

“Guangzhou training is important as we will review all of our campaigns so that we will give out the best plan for the Games," said Chinese coach Yu Zhiguo.

They will return home on April 30 and will join the Việt Nam Delegation to depart for Phnom Penh Games, which will be kicked off on May 5.

Vietnamese athletes compete in all seven categories of men's and women's singles, doubles and teams and mixed doubles.

Việt Nam won one gold and four silver from the last Games. They set a target of at least one gold in this May edition.

Reigning men's singles champion Nguyễn Đức Tuân who is the No 1 title candidate, is expected to defend his title.

"I have trained to improve my fitness and technique," said Tuân. "My teammates and I have nearly completed the coaches' plan, and the China training course is needed to ensure my stability ahead of the Games."

"We will use this great opportunity to have high results in Phnom Penh. I will play with my best."

After the Games, six Vietnamese athletes will train in the US for the first time.

VTTF Vice President Trần Cảnh Tuấn will cover all expenses for the course.

They will spend ten days in Houston, Texas, participating in an open tournament.

The team then head home for final preparation for the 19th Asian Games in September in China. VNS