PANO – The “To Truong Son” cycling tournament, organized by the People’s Army Newspaper and the Vietnam Motor-Bicycle Sports Federation, under the sponsorship of several businesses, started in Hanoi on July 15th with the participation of around 420 officials, coaches, Vietnamese and international cyclists, referees, supervisors and reporters from different press agencies.
The event was attended by Mr. Do Quy Doan, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Vuong Bich Thang, General Director of General Department of Sports, Major-General Nguyen Thanh Tuan, Director of Propaganda and Training Department, under the General Department of Politics, and Major-General Le Phuc Nguyen, Editor–in-Chief of People Army’s Newspaper.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Major-General Le Phuc Nguyen highlighted the political and social meanings and purposes of the tournament and hoped that athletes will have a safe tournament to demonstrate their talents and win high prizes in each stage.
After the opening ceremony, 60 cyclists from 11 Vietnamese and international teams took part in the first stage of the tournament around Hoan Kiem Lake, and Le Van Duan of the Eximbank branch in Ho Chi Minh City won yellow jersey at the first stage of the tournament.
The “To Truong Son” cycling tournament is a meaningful and practical activity to mark of the 65th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day and a chance for young cyclists to demonstrate their talents. It is also to educate young people the tradition, “When drinking water, remember its source”, as well as to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives in the resistance wars to defend national independence. Besides, the tournament aims to arouse the love for the country among the whole Party, whole people, whole army, especially young people and to improve skills for Vietnamese cyclists.
Cyclists will compete in a 700km long race with six stages and through the provinces and cities of Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Quang Tri. During the race, participants will visit and pay tribute to martyrs at martyrs’ cemeteries and present gifts to heroic Vietnamese mothers, martyrs’ families, war invalids and needy war veterans.
Previously, the organsing panel of the tournament laid flowers at the Memorial of Heroes and Martyrs on Bac Son Street in Hanoi and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on July 14th. At these events, Major-General Le Phuc Nguyen expressed his deep gratitude to those who devoted their lives for national independence and liberty.
Also on July 14th, leaders of the Presidential Palace Historical Site received and presented insignia to members of the delegation as an encouragement the athletes in the race.
Translated by Tran Hoai