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Vietnam Reduces Delegation at Southeast Asian Games Due to Budget Cuts

It has been reported that Vietnam will be sending a significantly smaller delegation than expected to the upcoming 2023 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia next month; with only 900 members of the sports team making the trip, 100 less than originally anticipated.

Administrator

22 April, 2023

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The nation originally planned to dispatch a contingent of 1,018 athletes, coaches, and staff members to Cambodia to compete in 31 out of 37 sports at the biennial event, targeting a top-three finish with 90-120 gold medals. They aimed to make a lasting impression on the international stage and demonstrate their athletic prowess.

Cambodia has announced ambitious plans to host the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in five provinces across the country, from May 5th to 17th. The event will take place in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, and Kep Provinces, providing a unique opportunity for athletes and spectators to experience the diverse culture and topography of the region.

Many Vietnamese athletes and coaches told Tuoi Tre (Youth) on Sunday that they are likely to be unable to attend the biggest regional sports festival this year, instead having to watch it from their home TVs.

The sudden news came as a shock after the Vietnam Sports Administration held an urgent meeting last week to review and consider a cutback in the Cambodia-bound delegation.

As per an urgent instruction, the number of members in the Vietnamese sports delegation must be reduced to around 900 people from its original 1,018 members due to inadequate funding, an official from Tuoi Tre revealed.

The downsizing will necessitate that athletes with substandard performance results remain at home, according to the official.

Tran Duc Phan, the appointed head of the delegation, announced that the reduction is anticipated to encompass approximately 30 athletes, thus reducing the total number of sportspersons to 714.

Phan added that the Vietnam Sports Administration has not yet submitted the final list of delegates to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, who will make the final decision.

This comes after reports of the delegation’s preparation for the upcoming international sporting event.

Athletes who have been excluded from the list still have a chance to participate in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia if they can obtain financial support from either their local authorities or their national sport federation.

This opportunity, however, is extremely slim, given the limited time remaining, tight budgets of local authorities, and inefficient operation of sports federations.

Vietnam sent a delegation of 856 members to the Philippines to attend the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, while its contingent participating in the delayed 2021 edition in May 2022, when it was the host country, comprised 951 athletes, 250 coaches, 30 experts, and 46 team managers.

Vietnam achieved an outstanding performance at the 2022 biennial event, setting a new gold medal record by topping the medal standings with 205 gold, 125 silver, and 116 bronze medals. This remarkable accomplishment demonstrates the country’s strength in sports and is sure to inspire future generations of athletes.

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Vietnam is anticipated to dispatch a 900-member sports team to the 2023 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia next month, significantly reducing the number of athletes from the original plan of 1,000. This unexpected cutback will leave approximately 100 athletes at home.

The nation originally planned to send 1,018 athletes, coaches, and staff members to Cambodia to compete in 31 of 37 sports at the biennial event, aiming for a top-three finish with 90-120 gold medals.

Cambodia has unveiled ambitious plans to host the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep Provinces from May 5th to 17th. This event will provide a unique opportunity for spectators to enjoy a wide range of sports and cultural activities in some of the country’s most beautiful and vibrant destinations. The SEA Games are a biennial event that brings together countries from the region for a series of sporting competitions. This year’s event promises to be a spectacle of sporting excellence, with athletes from across the region competing for medals in a wide range of disciplines. It is sure to be an event that will bring people together and provide a platform for regional unity and friendship.

Many Vietnamese athletes and coaches expressed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) on Sunday that it is likely they will be watching the largest regional sports festival from their home TVs this year.

The sudden news came as a shock after the Vietnam Sports Administration held an urgent meeting last week to review the Cambodia-bound delegation and make plans for a cutback.

As per an urgent instruction, the number of members in the Vietnamese sports delegation will have to be reduced to approximately 900, from the original 1,018, due to a lack of financing, an official told Tuoi Tre.

The downsizing will compel athletes with subpar performance results to remain at home, according to the official.

Tran Duc Phan, the appointed head of the delegation, announced that the reduction is anticipated to include approximately 30 athletes, thus reducing the total number of sportspersons to 714.

Phan added that the Vietnam Sports Administration has not yet submitted the final list of delegates to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism for approval, which will make the definitive decision.

Athletes who have been cut off from the list may still have a chance to participate in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, if they can secure financial support from their local authorities or the national federation of their sport.

This chance, however, is quite slim, given the short time left, tight budgets of local authorities, and inefficient operation of sports federations.

Vietnam sent a delegation of 856 members to the Philippines to attend the 2019 SEA Games while its contingent participating in the delayed 2021 edition in May 2022, when it was the host country, consisted of 951 athletes, 250 coaches, 30 experts, and 46 team managers.

Vietnam topped the medal standings in 2022 with an impressive 205 gold, 125 silver, and 116 bronze medals, establishing a new gold medal record in the biennial event’s history.

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