Da Nang, the capital city of central Vietnam, on Saturday evening hosted an opening ceremony for the 13th ASEAN Schools Games at Tien Son Sports Palace, with the participation of 1,300 competitors and coaches from 10 nations.

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, secretary of Da Nang Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang, and Bayu Rahadian, Sp.Kj, president of the ASEAN Schools Sports Council.

The 10 participating teams come from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and the host Vietnam.

Vietnam has sent 190 student athletes to the Games with six sports, including swimming, basketball, athletics, badminton, pencak silat – a martial art of Indonesia – and vovinam, Vietnam's acrobatic martial art.

A flame was lit at the event by Deputy PM Ha, symbolizing the enthusiasm of the young in Southeast Asia and the region’s close friendship.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Son, head of the steering committee for the Games, stated that the ASEAN Schools Games are the largest sporting event for students in Southeast Asia, aimed at fostering solidarity, international friendship, respect, and mutual understanding.

“The Games not only aim to honor sports talent, but also give exchange opportunities to students from all 10 ASEAN countries,” Son said.

The 13th edition will last until June 9 and offer 107 sets of medals to winners.

The mascot of this year’s Games is the red-shanked douc, an endangered and rare animal in Vietnam.

Through this mascot, the 13th ASEAN Schools Games aim to promote a message of environmental protection among students and the general public.

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