The event was part of the practical activities to mark the 80th anniversary of the foundation day of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1944 - 2024) and the 35th anniversary of the Whole-People Defense Festive Day (December 22, 1989 - 2024).
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A view of the opening ceremony |
The Defense Sports Festival 2024 has attracted 2,688 coaches and athletes from 43 agencies and units across the military, competing in 12 categories. The regular forces will compete in volleyball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, unarmed combat, strong soldier competitions, armed swimming, obstacle courses, and a 3,000m armed run. The militia force will compete in combined military exercises, armed swimming, and martial arts. Competitions will take place from September 28 to October 11 at the National Military Training Center No.4, Commando Officer Training School, Political Officer Training School, and Army Officer Training School No.1.
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Lt. Gen. Thai Van Minh speaks at the event. |
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Lt. Gen. Thai Van Minh beats the drum to kick off the festival. |
The military defense festival is held to accurately assess the quality of physical training in the military and local militia forces, thus developing suitable measures to enhance the quality of physical training for troops to meet the requirements of building a revolutionary, regular, elite, and gradually modernized military.
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The Director of the Department of Military Training hands over flags to representatives of participating delegations. |
In his opening speech, Director of the Department of Military Training Lieutenant General Thai Van Minh considered the sports event an opportunity for agencies and units to discover and select outstanding athletes to supplement the high-performance sports force of the military, ready to participate in national, regional, and international military sports activities.
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A volleyball match between the teams of the General Staff and Military Region 2 |
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Athletes encouraged by spectators |
To ensure the success of the event, Gen. Thai requested delegations and athletes to strictly comply with military discipline and competition regulations and uphold the spirit of “Unity - Confidence - Honesty - Nobility” to make the competition become a venue for the talented to exchange and learn from each other.
Translated by Tran Hoai