Gymnasiums and stadiums in Hanoi are all set for the regional biggest sporting event that will take place in May 2022.

Dan Phuong Gymnasium will host the Jujitsu tournament at the SEA Games 31. Photo: VNA

The SEA Games 31 will be held in 12 provinces and cities, of which, the capital Hanoi is the main host as the opening and closing ceremonies of the SEA Games, as well as most of the competitions, will be held at 18 venues across the city.

By mid-March, the facilities, equipment and plans for the tournaments are all in position, According to relevant authorities of Hanoi.

The Director of the Culture, Information and Sports Center of Dan Phuong District, Bui Thi Quyen, said all the venues have met the conditions for hosting the SEA Games 31. The district will host the SEA Games’ Jujitsu tournament at Dan Phuong Gymnasium.

Meanwhile, Tay Ho Gymnasium will run the Taekwondo competition. According to the Director of the Center for Culture, Information and Sports of Tay Ho District, Do Thi Hong Le, the Center has renovated the arena and purchased international-standard equipment for the tournament during the past months.

“We are now communicating to the locals about the importance of SEA Games 31. The sporting venue and surrounding areas have been embellished, ready to welcome local and international athletes,” she said.

In addition, an art program to celebrate SEA Games 31 will also be organized at Trinh Cong Son pedestrian street in Tay Ho District.

As one among 21 venues where the SEA Games 31 will take place in Hanoi, Hoai Duc Gymnasium has completed the preparations, being ready to welcome sports delegations to compete in Judo and Kurash (folk wrestling styles practiced in Central Asia).

Director of Hoai Duc District Culture, Information and Sports Center Vu Van Chuyen said that Kurash will be contested on May 10 while the Judo competition will begin on May 12.

Vietnamese female track-and-field athlete team will join the 31st SEA Games. Photo: VNA

According to the Vietnam Sports Administration, Hanoi has 39 coaches and 163 athletes participating in the national team who will compete in 22 sports at the SEA Games 31.

The Hanoi Sports Delegation is also expected to win 40 gold medals, 33 silver medals and 31 bronze medals at the SEA Games.

The largest regional sports event, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will run from May 12 to 23 in Hanoi and 11 neighboring localities, namely Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho and Bac Giang.

It will feature 40 sports with 526 medal events and is expected to attract around 10,000 athletes and officials from 11 Southeast Asian countries.

The SEA Games were originally scheduled to run from November 21 to December 2, 2021. However, it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is the second time Vietnam has hosted the Southeast Asian Games with the last being in 2003.