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Hanoi springs into action
12/11/2012 16:00:00 (GMT+7) | Vietnam Net
Raw material: Viet Nam's sport delegation parades at the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia last November. Viet Nam have won the right to host the 18th Asian Games in 2019. — Photo bongrovietnam.com
VietNamNet Bridge – A new page was turned in the history of Vietnamese sports on Thursday when Ha Noi won the right to host Asia's biggest sports festival, the Asian Games (ASIAD), in 2019.
The hosting of the Asiad represents a great opportunity for Viet Nam in general and its sports in particular.
What are the actual benefits and what challenges will sports officials face in hosting the quadrennial event?
The area that will benefit most and directly, obviously, is sports. Athletes will be pampered, facilities will be upgraded, and management will be knocked into shape as well.
Athletes will enjoy not only better training conditions and facilities, but also better incomes since the Government will have to pour money into developing champions to ensure the country does not suffer an embarrassment at home on the continent's biggest sporting stage.
Sports venues will be newly built or revamped for the event. The country needs more than 40 stadiums and facilities for the 35 sports that are likely to feature.
Tourism can expect a boost during the games when the country will welcome tens of thousands of sports fans and tourists, especially since it will be the first ASIAD to be held in the Southeast Asian region since 1998 when Bangkok hosted it.
The region is the world's most economically dynamic, and has a population of 600 million and an average income that is expected to rise to over US$5,000 then.
But even more visitors will probably come from neighbour and sporting powerhouse China, with a population of 1.4 billion and average income of over $10,000.
Transportation will be a prime beneficiary as it has to be upgraded for the games.
But the success or failure of the Asiad will depend on how sports officials tackle all these tasks within just seven years.
The biggest concern will be achieving the stated goal of winning at least 10 gold medals to finish in the top ten despite having a plan to focus on 10 A-level sports and 22 B-level sports to develop a core of athletes for the games.
Fans may not be particularly happy if most gold medals come from vovinam, a Vietnamese martial art that is not a regular sport at the game but will be included this time thanks to Viet Nam's host status.
There is a real worry if sports officials can translate the massive funds the government will invest into medals, especially after the country failed to impress at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, and this year's London Olympics.
There is also concern about the general organisation since the country has never hosted an event of this magnitude before.
It did organise the 2009 Asian Indoor Games, but the Asian Games will be a different kettle of fish.
"Viet Nam have some experience in organising big sporting events, such as the 22nd SEA Games in 2003 and the third Asian Indoor Games in 2009. This experience is a factor that helped us win the trust of the other countries," said Hoang Vinh Giang, deputy chairman of the Viet Nam Olympics Committee.
"Viet Nam's plan to host the 18th Asian Games is both feasible and economic. Winning the bid shows that Viet Nam have received remarkable appreciation from the international community, and we have been presented with a wonderful chance to show our image to the world and develop our sports – especially the Olympic ones."
"We will initiate a national strategy shortly to support athletes in sports where we believe there are opportunities to win medals. Of course, this support will be well considered," said Giang, who believes that Viet Nam can pocket at least 50 medals.
Other issues include finding and training a pool of international-standard guides and building an international-standard media centre since the games will be held across the country to take advantage of available sports facilities.
Last but not least is the need to promote the games across Asia, especially in Southeast Asia, to make sure tourists and fans visit the country during the event.
The head of the Viet Nam Sports Administration, Vuong Bich Thang, said: "Winning the right to host the Games is only the first step. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Administration and the Olympic Committee will build up a plan listing all the preparatory activities we must embark on now. In this difficult time the organisers will try their best to mobilise support and receive donations to share the financial burden with the Government."
According to Thang, the Administration will soon carry out an inspection of all sport venues to ensure facilities are prepared for the ASIAD. Shortly after, the publicity drive will begin with the aim of introducing the event to the Vietnamese people and building excitement.
VietNamNet/VNS
12/11/2012 16:00:00 (GMT+7) | Vietnam Net
Raw material: Viet Nam's sport delegation parades at the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia last November. Viet Nam have won the right to host the 18th Asian Games in 2019. — Photo bongrovietnam.com
VietNamNet Bridge – A new page was turned in the history of Vietnamese sports on Thursday when Ha Noi won the right to host Asia's biggest sports festival, the Asian Games (ASIAD), in 2019.
The hosting of the Asiad represents a great opportunity for Viet Nam in general and its sports in particular.
What are the actual benefits and what challenges will sports officials face in hosting the quadrennial event?
The area that will benefit most and directly, obviously, is sports. Athletes will be pampered, facilities will be upgraded, and management will be knocked into shape as well.
Athletes will enjoy not only better training conditions and facilities, but also better incomes since the Government will have to pour money into developing champions to ensure the country does not suffer an embarrassment at home on the continent's biggest sporting stage.
Sports venues will be newly built or revamped for the event. The country needs more than 40 stadiums and facilities for the 35 sports that are likely to feature.
Tourism can expect a boost during the games when the country will welcome tens of thousands of sports fans and tourists, especially since it will be the first ASIAD to be held in the Southeast Asian region since 1998 when Bangkok hosted it.
The region is the world's most economically dynamic, and has a population of 600 million and an average income that is expected to rise to over US$5,000 then.
But even more visitors will probably come from neighbour and sporting powerhouse China, with a population of 1.4 billion and average income of over $10,000.
Transportation will be a prime beneficiary as it has to be upgraded for the games.
But the success or failure of the Asiad will depend on how sports officials tackle all these tasks within just seven years.
The biggest concern will be achieving the stated goal of winning at least 10 gold medals to finish in the top ten despite having a plan to focus on 10 A-level sports and 22 B-level sports to develop a core of athletes for the games.
Fans may not be particularly happy if most gold medals come from vovinam, a Vietnamese martial art that is not a regular sport at the game but will be included this time thanks to Viet Nam's host status.
There is a real worry if sports officials can translate the massive funds the government will invest into medals, especially after the country failed to impress at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, and this year's London Olympics.
There is also concern about the general organisation since the country has never hosted an event of this magnitude before.
It did organise the 2009 Asian Indoor Games, but the Asian Games will be a different kettle of fish.
"Viet Nam have some experience in organising big sporting events, such as the 22nd SEA Games in 2003 and the third Asian Indoor Games in 2009. This experience is a factor that helped us win the trust of the other countries," said Hoang Vinh Giang, deputy chairman of the Viet Nam Olympics Committee.
"Viet Nam's plan to host the 18th Asian Games is both feasible and economic. Winning the bid shows that Viet Nam have received remarkable appreciation from the international community, and we have been presented with a wonderful chance to show our image to the world and develop our sports – especially the Olympic ones."
"We will initiate a national strategy shortly to support athletes in sports where we believe there are opportunities to win medals. Of course, this support will be well considered," said Giang, who believes that Viet Nam can pocket at least 50 medals.
Other issues include finding and training a pool of international-standard guides and building an international-standard media centre since the games will be held across the country to take advantage of available sports facilities.
Last but not least is the need to promote the games across Asia, especially in Southeast Asia, to make sure tourists and fans visit the country during the event.
The head of the Viet Nam Sports Administration, Vuong Bich Thang, said: "Winning the right to host the Games is only the first step. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Administration and the Olympic Committee will build up a plan listing all the preparatory activities we must embark on now. In this difficult time the organisers will try their best to mobilise support and receive donations to share the financial burden with the Government."
According to Thang, the Administration will soon carry out an inspection of all sport venues to ensure facilities are prepared for the ASIAD. Shortly after, the publicity drive will begin with the aim of introducing the event to the Vietnamese people and building excitement.
VietNamNet/VNS
