Vietnam pledges utmost efforts for a successful ABG: Sports official

The sports official, who is deputy permanent head of the ABG-5 organising committee, made the statement at the ABG-5 International Media Conference in Hanoi on August 31, which gathered the presence of representatives from both domestic and international news agencies.

At the meeting, the organisers provided the media with a general overview of preparations for the ABG-5. Accordingly, Vietnam Television will broadcast the opening and closing ceremonies live, as well as the matches in four sports: sepak takraw, handball, football and volleyball.

The organising committee called on and requested organisations and individuals not to advertise and market tobacco products in any form during the Games. Images of tobacco are also prohibited from the Games' publications. Athletes, referees, trainers, volunteers and officials are required not to smoke cigarettes at competition venues and while performing duties at the Games.

The ABG-5 is scheduled to take place in Da Nang from September 24 to October 3 with the participation of about 2,500 athletes representing 42 countries and territories from across Asia.

A total of 172 sets of medals will be available in 22 events, including swimming, water polo, Kabaddi, men's football, volleyball, handball, basketball 3x3, sepak takraw, wrestling, Vietnam martial arts, Sambo, Jujitsu, Kurash, Pencak Silat, Vovinam, Muay Thai, shuttlecock, Petanque, bodybuilding, woodball, rowing, and track and field.

Athletes will compete at four major venues namely East Sea Park, My Khe beach, Phuong Trang project area and Son Thuy seaside resort.

As the hosts, Vietnam is targeting a place in the leading group at the ABG-5. At the 2014 Games in Phuket, Thailand, Vietnam ended up in fifth place overall winning a total of eight gold, 12 silver and 20 bronze medals./.