Vietnam officially bids to host ASIAD 2019.

The plan to bid for hosting the 18th Asian Games (ASIAD) in 2019 has just been approved by the Government.

Besides submitting the bid to the Asian Olympic Council (OCA), Vietnam will establish a committee to bid for hosting the 18th Asian Games, chaired by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and will also prepare promotional materials about Hanoi and the country and people of Vietnam.

According to Mr. Hoang Vinh Giang (Secretary General of the Vietnam Olympic Committee), after the Government agreed to allow Vietnam to bid to host ASIAD 2019, the Olympic Committee made specific calculations, which were submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as well as the Government a few months ago.

According to Mr. Giang, the biggest challenge currently is funding, but Vietnam will be able to host the most economical Asiad possible. "According to my calculations, we will only need to spend about 150 million USD," Mr. Giang affirmed. Explaining this modest figure, Mr. Giang said: "The lower cost is due to the fact that we don't need to build many competition venues."

According to the plan directed by the Government, Hanoi will allocate 200 hectares in the Co Loa area, designated as the Hanoi Asian Games and Olympic Sports Complex. In addition, approximately 50 hectares will be used to build an Athletes' Village in the outskirts of Hanoi. Combined with the 247 hectares in My Dinh, and all the facilities from the 22nd SEA Games and the 3rd Asian Games, Vietnam is confident it can host the 18th Asian Games in 2019.

The only new facility that needs to be built is a velodrome with approximately 3,000 seats. For some new sports not yet popular in Vietnam, such as baseball, rugby, and hockey, Vietnam only needs simple construction that can later be converted into a complex of football training grounds or a professional football training school.

According to the OCA's plan, the 18th Asian Games will be held in November 2019. If hosted, in addition to Hanoi as the main venue, there will be 14 other locations in provinces and cities including: Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Binh Thuan, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thai Binh, Ha Nam and Phu Tho.

It is expected that 45 Asian countries and territories will participate in the 18th Asian Games, with approximately 10,000 coaches and athletes competing in 35 sports including: Archery, Gymnastics, Athletics, Badminton, Cycling, Aquatics, Fencing, Judo, Shooting, Wrestling, Golf, Sepak Takraw, Kabaddi, Karatedo, Taekwondo, Handball, Rowing, Canoe-kayak, Basketball, Boxing, Volleyball, Football, Sailing, Wushu, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Triathlon, Squash, Sepak Takraw, Chess, Tennis, Baseball, Field Hockey, Rugby, and Modern Pentathlon.

The OCA confirmed that four candidates submitted bids to host the Games: Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Indonesia chose Surabaya, Taiwan chose Kaohsiung, and the UAE wanted to host the event in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

The three candidates who have just withdrawn their candidacies are from Hong Kong (China), Malaysia, and India.

On the sidelines of the World Sports Ministers' Meeting on April 16, OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah declared: “We support Vietnam's bid to host the 18th Asian Games in 2019. During the bidding process, if Vietnam needs assistance, the OCA will be ready to help.”

The OCA's plenary session, taking place on November 3rd in Macau (China), will announce the host of the 18th Asian Games.

According to VOV - DT