(HBO) – Dato Amarjit Singh Gill, Vice President of Asian Cycling Federation, has said that the cycling event at the 31 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) had been successfully organised by Hoa Binh province - the host of the competition. The enthusiasm of the province’s cheering fans has contributed to its success, Gill said.
Leaders of Hoa Binh province give gifts to athletes of
the Vietnamese cycling team.
Although it was raining, a lot of fans came to the competition venue to cheer
for not only Vietnamese athletes but also those from other countries, he said,
adding that it helped create a noble sports spirit.
This feeling is also shared by other foreign delegates including athlete
Priatna Delia Ayustrina of the Indonesian team.
Priatna, who won a gold medal in the women's downhill biking event, said the
athletes received support from the local organising board in arranging
accommodation, adding that the staff at hotels where they stayed were very
helpful.
In addition to meals that are suitable for athletes' nutrition, athletes can
use many services at the hotels, such as gym, sauna and swimming pool which are
very good for them to recover after training, she said.
Mohd Basri Siti Natasha, one of the youngest members of the Malaysian cycling
team, said she felt nervous as this was the first time she took part in a
regional sports event. However, what surprised Mohd most was that as soon as
she finished her competition, many fans at the competition venue applauded
enthusiastically. Some local residents even wanted to make acquaintance and
took photos with her.
"People here are really friendly. They wave and smile to an athlete when he or
she arrives at the competition venue regardless of his or her nationality,” she
said, adding that it created a great atmosphere and helped them play better.
As for Fanani Zaenal, a member of the Indonesian team, he was impressed by the
fans beating their drums to cheer for the cyclistsduring the days of
competition in Hoa Binh.
Fanani participated in the men’s cross-country mountain biking event with a
distance of 18km. The road was long with many steep bends, especially when it
was raining, he recalled, adding that it was quite slippery.
A lot of local residents stood along both sides of the road to give
encouragement to the event’s participants and they carried a lot of red flags
with yellow stars. Indeed, Fanani felt some pressure when he saw that scene.
However, fans cheered for not only Vietnamese cyclists but also from other countries
which made athletes like him feel very happy and respectful.
Good impression of a friendly Hoa Binh is also a common feeling of foreign
athletes competing in the cycling event. The province organized many activities
to welcome the Games’ delegates including holding a warm reception for athletes
participating in the tournament and a "highland market” with unique cultural
features, aiming to introduce its specialties as well as offering free tours
for them.
The 31st SEA Games has officially closed with Vietnam ranked first in the medal
standings. Both international and domestic public opinions consider it as a
tournament full of records and warm people. Sharing about the organisation of
the event in Hoa Binh, Bui Thi Niem, Director of the provincial Department of
Culture, Sports and Tourism, deputy head of the local organising committee said
that despite facing difficulties and urgency due to the negative impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic, the province has tried its best to make the tournament a
success./.
A total of 85 young players from across Hoa Binh province recently participated in the provincial Youth Table Tennis Tournament. Organised by the provincial Centre for Youth Activities, the event was part of activities to celebrate the 94th founding anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (March 26, 1931 – 2025) and the 79th anniversary of Vietnam Sports Day (March 27, 1946 – 2025).
Hoa Binh province held a ceremony at Hoa Binh Square on the morning of March 23 to launch the "All People Exercise Following the Example of Great Uncle Ho" movement and the Olympic Run Day for public health 2025.
In 2 days, March 1-2, 2025, at the Provincial Gymnasium, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism organized the 2025 Provincial Youth Championship of Crossbow Shooting, Tug-of-War, and Stich Pushing. This annual event is hosted by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
On February 23, the Hoa Binh Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, in collaboration with the General Department of Sports and Physical Training’s karate division and the provincial Karate federation, organised the 2025 national karate dan promotion exam at the provincial sports arena. The exam covered the first (Shodan), second (Nidan), and third (Sandan) dan levels, with no fourth (Yondan) or fifth (Godan) dan tests this year.
In the early days of the Year of the Snake, Hoa Binh province is filled with a lively and joyful atmosphere as various sports exchange and competition activities take place. These events have become a cherished tradition among local ethnic communities, strengthening their solidarity and fostering their close bonds. They contribute to the robust development of grassroots sports movements, enhancing the cultural and spiritual life of the people.
The Hoa Binh provincial Health sector trade union organized the 1st expanded Hoa Binh provincial Health sector Pickleball tournament in 2025.
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