Vietnam names four more disciplines for 2021 SEA Games

Host Vietnam has decided to include triathlon, bowling, jiu jitsu, and esport in next year’s SEA Games.

The Southeast Asian Games Federation Executive Committee approved them at a recent online meeting and will make a formal announcement in November.

Vietnam said triathlon (swimming, cycling and running) is a developing sport with many international races being held in the region. It was also included in previous editions of the games.

Vietnam, which plans to hold a triathlon in the northern Quang Ninh Province, will set up a federation in future to develop the sport in the country.

The venues for bowling, jiu jitsu and esports will be announced later.

Duong Vi Khoa, vice president of the Vietnam Recreational Esport Association and head of the Vietnam Esport delegation to the last SEA Games in the Philippines last year, has already said Dota 2, Arena of Valor and Pro Evolution Soccer will be three of the six games to be played at the games.

The country has won home three bronze medals in esport in previous editions.

The addition of the four sports increases the total number at next year’s games to 40, 16 less than last year, with Vietnam blaming this on the economic downturn due to the Covid pandemic.

The 31st SEA Games are scheduled to be held from November 21 to December 2, and the Para Games from December 14 to 21.

Vietnam once hosted the SEA Games before in 2003.

Last year it finished second in the medals tally with 288 medals, including 98 golds.

By Dang Khoa – VnExpress.net – October 14, 2020