The fifth Asian Beach Games (ABG5) under theme of "Shining Sea- Bright Future” was officially opened in the East Sea Park of Da Nang city last night.
The Asian Beach Games is a multi-sport event held every two years by Asian Olympic Council, contributing to advertize and develop beach sports. It was held for the first time in 2008 in Bali, Indonesia.
The ABG5 is scheduled to run from September 24 to October 3. Around 10, 000 athletes, trainers and referees from 45 countries and territories in Asian region will compete in 14 subjects with 22 events for 172 medal sets, including marathon swimming, water polo, kabaddi, men’s beach football and volleyball, handball, three-a-side basketball and sepak takraw (rattan-ball kicking) and others.
Attending in the opening ceremony was Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Ahmad Fahad AJ Alsabah and representative leaders of the national ministries and agencies.
At the ceremony, the Vietnamese Prime Minister sent thanks to IOC and OCA for multi- sports assistance for Vietnam in the previous years; hoping that the two agencies will continue helping Vietnam’s sport integrate into the world’s sport.
