The ASEAN School Games' torch was lit on Wednesday and arrived in Semarang yesterday. — Photo inaasg2019.com

HÀ NỘI — A 103-strong contingent from Việt Nam yesterday took part in the opening ceremony of the 11^th ASEAN Schools Games in Semarang, Indonesia.

The team represented the biggest ever from Việt Nam.

They joined about 1,600 student athletes and officials from 10 ASEAN countries as participants at the Holy Terang Bangsa School.

The Vietnamese athletes will compete in six out of nine sports.

According to Nguyễn Thanh Đề, head of the delegation, the Vietnamese players could bag medals in the track-and-field, table tennis and pencak silat as they have been prepared with training and competing abroad.

However, the students are not given any targets at the regional tournament.

Speaking to athletes in Hà Nội before their departure, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyễn Thị Nghĩa said it was a chance to gain experience which would help to narrow the gap in sports between students of Việt Nam and the region.

She said students should be confident and compete for honour of themselves and the country.

The Games will wrap up on July 25.

At last year’s Games in Malaysia, Việt Nam finished fifth with 13 golds. Top three were Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, respectively. — VNS