Asian Games

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc held a meeting in Hà Nội yesterday to honour the Việt Nam sports delegation’s achievements at the Asian Games (ASIAD) 2018 which ended in Indonesia on Sunday.

Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện also attended the meeting.

This year’s ASIAD saw Việt Nam bring home four gold medals, 16 silver and 18 bronze, ranking 17th out of 45 countries in the medal tally.

Especially, the Việt Nam Olympic football team was praised for reaching the bronze-medal match for the first time ever. Although the team lost to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 3-4 in a penalty shootout, their performance was celebrated by fans and the boys returned to a hero’s welcome.

Việt Nam’s journey to the competition’s top four teams gives hope for the team to advance further at the continental level on the football pitch.

PM Phúc stressed that these results were more meaningful when they came to the occasion of the whole country celebrating its National Day (September 2). 

“Coaches, athletes showed their willingness, desire of Việt Nam sports as well as unity spirit and proud of the country in the Asian event,” said Phúc.

“This victory also brings the belief for the Vietnamese people in sport,” Phúc added.

Việt Nam’s achievements at the Asian Games. — VNA/VNS Photo

Earlier, a programme was held at the Mỹ Đình National Stadium on Sunday to honour outstanding athletes of the Vietnamese sports delegation for their successes at the Games.

Titled “Proud of Việt Nam”, the event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện, VOV General Director of Nguyễn Thế Kỷ, and officials from the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Hà Nội People’s Committee, the National Sports Administration, the Việt Nam Football Federation along with dozen of thousands of people were present at the stadium to share the athletes’ joy.

Speaking at the event, VOV General Director Kỷ said that in the atmosphere of the National Day, millions of hearts headed to the stadium with the same beat welcoming the delegation, which accomplished its mission at ASIAD 2018.

He highlighted that by their burning love for the motherland, by their wisdom, talent and bravery, the athletes have made great efforts to reach high achievements, bringing pride to the country.

This event was also a chance for sports fans nationwide to meet and exchange with athletes, as well as congratulate the athletes that made excellent achievements in the Asian sport event.

At the ASIAD 2014 held in Incheon, South Korea, Việt Nam’s football squad were knocked out in the round of 16 after losing to UAE 1-3, while the Việt Nam delegation won just one gold medal, 10 silvers and 25 bronzes to rank 21st in the overall medal tally. — VNS