ASEAN Para Games

World record holder Lê Văn Công (centre) with teammates and officials of the Việt Nam Para Games delegation at their send-off ceremony on Wednesday in HCM City. The tournament will be held on June 3-9 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. VNS Photo Hoàng Tùng

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese athletes with disabilities were ready for the 12th ASEAN Para Games after a send-off ceremony organised on Wednesday in HCM City. 

The largest regional tournament for athletes with disabilities will be held on June 3-9 in Phnom Penh.

The Vietnamese contingent gathers 164 members, including 125 athletes and two guides, 21 coaches and 16 officials and staff.

They will compete in eight among 13 sports organised at the Games. The sports are athletics, swimming, powerlifting, badminton, table tennis, chess, judo and boccia.

"Following our success from previous Games and inspired by the achievement of the Việt Nam delegation at the 32nd SEA Games, the Vietnamese athletes with disabilities will conquer the regional sports meet with high spirit and determination," said Chief-de-mission Nguyễn Hồng Minh.

"This is not only a sports but cultural event which plays an important role in strengthening the good relationship, friendship, solidarity and understanding between countries in the ASEAN region. The Games will gather the strongest para-athletes where they will show their extraordinary will, confidence and energy to overcome difficulties in life to practise and compete. At the same time, they can affirm their desire to win, integrate and contribute to national sport," Minh said.

On behalf of the athletes, powerlifter Lê Văn Công promised to compete with high determination under the fair-play spirit and noble sportsmanship to achieve the highest results for Việt Nam.

“It will be my seventh time competing in the Para Games. I have won six gold medals and hope that I will take one more home," said Công, a former Paralympic champion.

Việt Nam Para Games Chief-de-mission Nguyễn Hồng Minh waves the national flag after receiving it from Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoàng Đạo Cương at the send-off ceremony. Photo Herbalife Vietnam

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoàng Đạo Cương asked para athletes to strive for the best, exchange knowledge and sharpen skills and improve results at the Games. 

He hoped that each Vietnamese member would be fully aware of the responsibility and the honour when competing for national pride.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính sent a letter to encourage athletes to bring high results home.

At the event, the Việt Nam delegation received support from different companies and enterprises including Herbalife Vietnam, Động Lực Group, Namsung Aluminum and Green Hill Food.

As part of Herbalife's long-standing nutrition sponsorship of the Việt Nam Paralympics Association (VPA), Herbalife not only joined hands in organising the send-off event but also will be present at the tournament to provide nutritional advice and product support to the delegation. Moreover, Herbalife Vietnam's representatives will give spot awards to all athletes who claim gold medals at the Games.

"We are strongly inspired by the resilience, strong determination and dedication of our para-athletes who have always overcome adversity and difficulties to achieve impressive results and bring glory to the country," said Vũ Văn Thắng, General Manager for Herbalife Vietnam and Cambodia.

"We are very proud of our partnership with VPA through which we have continuously provided top para-athletes with science-based nutrition products to help them increase their energy and strength. With high spirit, good preparation, and balanced nutrition, we believe our para-athletes will garner incredible performances at this important regional sporting tournament," Thắng said.

Trần Đức Thọ, general secretary of the VPA, said: "I would like to thank our valuable partner, Herbalife Vietnam, for collaborating with us in organising this send-off ceremony. The continuous support of Herbalife Vietnam always has an important role in helping our athletes to have the best preparation in important sporting tournaments like the 2023 ASEAN Para Games. Herbalife's high-quality and science-based products help our para-athletes improve and sustain their strength and stamina to unleash their potential to achieve the best results,” Thắng said.

At the previous Games in Indonesia last year, the hosts topped the medal tally with 175 golds. Thailand was second with 117. Việt Nam finished third, winning 65. VNS