HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam yesterday kicked off the National School Games in Nghệ An Province.

The 19th Games will feature about 4,000 athletes and more than 1,000 coaches, experts and referees from all 63 cities and provinces. They will compete in 15 sports including football, swimming, athletics and martial arts during the 10-day event in Nghệ An and the neighbouring province of Thanh Hóa.

Deputy PM Đam welcomed students, teachers and representatives in Nghệ An for the Games and thanked locals for their support in holding the festival.

“A person must grow up with rich knowledge and strong physique. Practising sports helps to improve strength to study and work well, construct and save the country,” said Đam at the opening ceremony.

The Games, which are held every four years, is a Ministry of Education and Training tradition for students of all ages.

It aims to promote solidarity in children through school sports; provide opportunities for athletes to improve their sporting talents and allow them to meet with each other through the tournaments.

The Games is also a channel to discover talents who will join national sport teams in the future.

In recent ASEAN School Games in Thailand, Vietnamese athletes finished third with 19 gold, 20 silver and 15 bronze medals.

The National Games end on August 10. -- VNS