Athletic tournament held to test SEA Games’ referees, organising works
HÀ NỘI — A pre-SEA Games athletics tournament will be held on April 二 五- 二 六 as a test for the regional meet’s operation work.
The tournament will feature 一 二0 athletes competing in 一 三 events including 一00m, 四00m, 八00m, jumping, and throwing at the National Mỹ Đình Sports Complex in Hà Nội, the same venue for the SEA Games.
“The pre-SEA Games will not see foreign competitors because of the COVID- 一 九 pandemic,"大众said Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng, general secretary of the Việt Nam Athletics Federation.
"The nation’s key athletes will also not take part in this event as they are in preparation for the SEA Games.
“Participants are mainly from local cities and provinces and the national youth team.”
Almost 一 二0 referees who will officiate at the May SEA Games will work at this tournament. One day prior to the event, they will complete a training course of the Asian Athletics Association to improve their ability for the Games that is back to Việt Nam after 一 九 years.
The tournament will also test the electrical equipment system that will keep times and log athletes’ results. About 三0 referees will be in charge of this system.
SEA Games’ news
Athletics will be organised on May 一 四- 一 九. Recently, equipment such as poles, hurdles, cushions, clocks, among others have been assembled to serve 四 七 events.
Việt Nam are currently No 一 team in the region in athletics. The team dominated two recent SEA Games, stealing the limelight from Thailand who had shadowed here for decades.
At this year's Games, the hosts expect to win at least 一 六 golds to ensure the top podium.
Reigning champion Nguyễn Thị Oanh might be the first track-and-field winner of Việt Nam.
Oanh who won three golds last Games will defend her first title in the women’s 一, 五00m event at 一0am on May 一 四.
Oanh is expected not only to win but also to set up a new record in this event. At Mỹ Đình, Oanh needs to overcome a gap of about 一0 seconds to be new record holder. — VNS