Delayed Vietnam SEA Games confirmed for May 2022

FILE – Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (right), the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, hands the SEA Games federation
flag to a Vietnam official in hosting turnover rites at the closing of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines—The 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam has been confirmed to take place in the middle of May 2022 following a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnamese capital Hanoi will be the host city of the multi-sport event.

The Vietnam SEA Games Organizing Committee, however, has yet to release the specific dates.

Tran Duc Phan, the Deputy Chairman of the VIESGOC and the SEA Games Federation Vice President, wrote to SEAGF COO Dato Seri Chaiyapak Siriwat that preparations in Hanoi are being undertaken in preparation for the Games.

“I would like to inform you that all the preparations are still being carried out urgently by VIESGOC, but due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region, including Vietnam, the Games will be postponed to the second quarter of 2022,” wrote Phan.

The 31st SEA Games was supposed to be played in 2021 but was pushed back due to the pandemic especially as Vietnam is experiencing a surge that began since May of this year as cases skyrocketed from the low hundreds to a peak of 14,922 on September 3.

“Over the past time, VIESGOC has adjusted the Games master plan, schedules, timelines, and reported to the Vietnamese Government for approval,” wrote Phan. “The specific dates will be announced as soon as possible after receiving the Government’s final decision.”

“We look forward to receive the continuing support and assistance from you as well as all the Southeast Asian NOCs [National Olympic Committees] so the Games will be a great success.”

The Philippine Olympic Committee had said that it intends to send 626 athletes to represent the Philippines, the host of the 2019 SEA Games, across 29 of the 30 sports in Hanoi.

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