ASEAN OLYMPIAD

Kids begin ASEAN Olympiad

15:27' 04/11/2009 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – Five teams from Viet Nam are participating in the ASEAN Primary School Sports Olympiad (APSSO) that kicked off in Jakarta, Indonesia yesterday, November 3. The Vietnamese contingent comprises the football team from HCM City that won the Phu Dong Sports Festival Milo Cup 2008, and four other teams for table tennis, chess, badminton and athletics. APSSO is an event held by Indonesia's Ministry of Education since 2007 for ASEAN elementary school students in order to improve and develop sporting talent at an early age. It also aims to promote and foster healthy competition, sportsmanship and mutual respect. Viet Nam was runner-up to the host team Indonesia at APSSO 2007 with five golds, two silvers and two bronzes and ranked third in APSSO 2008 with three golds, three silvers and five bronzes. Ngu Duy Anh, deputy head of the Department of Students' Affairs, Ministry of Education and Training, said: "The five teams are the best seeds of Vietnamese sports and represent our hopes and pride in the international playing field.  "We believe that they will learn and benefit enormously from their first contacts with their regional counterparts, and will return with fun-filled memories as well as useful experiences which will encourage them to further hone their skills to contribute to the country's sports development when they grow up." During their week in Indonesia, apart from the sports competitions, the Vietnamese contingent will also participate in other fun activities including visits to tourist resorts and cultural shows. As the exclusive sponsor of the Phu Dong Sports Festival Milo Cup 2009, Nestle Milo has financed the football teams participation in the regional contest and supported other teams with their uniforms. APSSO 2009 will conclude on Sunday. VietNamNet/Viet Nam News