Vietnam are taking part in the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games withtheir best badminton players who are expected to defend their two bronzemedals in Singapore.
A strong team of 12 members have arrivedin Singapore and are ready to compete in seven events in men's andwomen's singles, doubles, teams, and mixed doubles.
VeteranNguyen Tien Minh and rising star Vu Thi Trang are expected to win medalsin men's and women's singles categories, respectively.
"SEAGames has always been an important competition for Vietnam's badminton.We do not have much chance in front of Thailand, Malaysia, andIndonesia, which are very strong teams and at levels much higher thanus. Therefore, our aim is to play our best to win a medal," said LeThanh Ha, head of Badminton Department of the National SportsAdministration.
Ha noted that Vietnam's successful result at therecent Sudirman Cup acted as a strong force and good warm-up for theteam that had been preparing for the Games. Vietnamese athletes have wona berth to compete in Group II of next year's Cup.
Minh is worldNo 27 and has not won any SEA Games title in his career, not even inhis peak period, when he was among the world's top 10. His best resultso far remains two bronze medals at the 24th Games in 2007 and lastGames.
This year, Minh will not get to play his major rival LeeChong Wei who has received a doping ban. It is good news for Minh who isplaying his last SEA Games.
"Even if Lee plays or not, I alwaystry my best in every match. It could be my last Games, so I want to graba title before saying goodbye; it will be great," said Minh.
Trangis seeded No 48 in the world. She has more local expectations on hershoulders, following her remarkable achievements in the past two yearsas she reached her career's highest point in terms of world ranking.This has also been the best female ranking in Vietnam's badmintonhistory.
Trang and her partner Nguyen Thi Sen in women's doubles pool are also hoped to take a medal.
"The two girls make a perfect combine. If they can keep up their performance, a berth in the final is possible," Ha noted.
The badminton competition will start on June 10 with team events and will finish on June 16 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.-VNA
A strong team of 12 members have arrivedin Singapore and are ready to compete in seven events in men's andwomen's singles, doubles, teams, and mixed doubles.
VeteranNguyen Tien Minh and rising star Vu Thi Trang are expected to win medalsin men's and women's singles categories, respectively.
"SEAGames has always been an important competition for Vietnam's badminton.We do not have much chance in front of Thailand, Malaysia, andIndonesia, which are very strong teams and at levels much higher thanus. Therefore, our aim is to play our best to win a medal," said LeThanh Ha, head of Badminton Department of the National SportsAdministration.
Ha noted that Vietnam's successful result at therecent Sudirman Cup acted as a strong force and good warm-up for theteam that had been preparing for the Games. Vietnamese athletes have wona berth to compete in Group II of next year's Cup.
Minh is worldNo 27 and has not won any SEA Games title in his career, not even inhis peak period, when he was among the world's top 10. His best resultso far remains two bronze medals at the 24th Games in 2007 and lastGames.
This year, Minh will not get to play his major rival LeeChong Wei who has received a doping ban. It is good news for Minh who isplaying his last SEA Games.
"Even if Lee plays or not, I alwaystry my best in every match. It could be my last Games, so I want to graba title before saying goodbye; it will be great," said Minh.
Trangis seeded No 48 in the world. She has more local expectations on hershoulders, following her remarkable achievements in the past two yearsas she reached her career's highest point in terms of world ranking.This has also been the best female ranking in Vietnam's badmintonhistory.
Trang and her partner Nguyen Thi Sen in women's doubles pool are also hoped to take a medal.
"The two girls make a perfect combine. If they can keep up their performance, a berth in the final is possible," Ha noted.
The badminton competition will start on June 10 with team events and will finish on June 16 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.-VNA
