An Giang authorities say hosting the US$164.6 million National Sports Tournament in 2018 is essential for the province, adding that other localities will also host the event at a similar expense if An Giang withdraws from the bid. The Mekong Delta province on Wednesday captured national headlines by revealing its plan to host the country’s largest multi-sports event at a whopping VND3.42 trillion expense, which is even higher than the dreaded $150 million estimate to host the 2019 Asiad. “This is a chance for An Giang to have new facilities to maintain its high-performance sports development, as well as to meet the needs of sport practicing by local residents,” deputy chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Ho Viet Hiep told Tuoi Tre. Hiep said although An Giang is the locality that hosts the event, it will be mainly funded by the state budget. The province will only have to earmark from its local budget VND1.7 trillion (49% of the total sum). The 2014 national tournament will be hosted by Nam Dinh, and this province has been pledged VND1.6 trillion ($76.92 million) by the central government, he elaborated. “So our plan is not groundless. It is based on the hosting plan of Nam Dinh, which was approved by the government,” he asserted.Few supporters Shortly after the news over the costly plan was published, opposing feedback was recorded from both experts and readers. Professor Vo Tong Xuan, who has been living and working in An Giang for years, said the province should not host such a cash-swallowing event given its poorly developed infrastructure and low living standards in rural areas. “The event should be hosted in localities with available facilities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City,” he said. Other Tuoi Tre readers said An Giang should withdraw from the hosting bid, and spend the money in a smarter and more useful way. “There is a severe shortage of bridges and schools in most of the remote districts in An Giang. Students still have to travel to school by small boats during the flood seasons as there are no bridges, and a number of schools are in poor condition,” reader Vo Anh Trung wrote to Tuoi Tre. He thus suggested the VND1.7 trillion from the provincial budget be used to solve the said problems. “The money is enough to build 170 new schools, 170 concrete bridges, or 170 well-equipped infirmaries,” he concluded.