14th October, Hanoi: Host Vietnam has decided to include bowling, jiu jitsu, triathlon and esport in next year's 31st South East Asian Games scheduled to be held from November 21 to December 2, 2021.
The Southeast Asian Games Federation Executive Committee approved them at a recent online meeting and will make a formal announcement in November. Vietnam said triathlon (swimming, cycling and running) is a developing sport with many international races being held in the region. It was also included in previous editions of the games.
Vietnam, which plans to hold a triathlon in the northern Quang Ninh Province, will set up a federation in future to develop the sport in the country. The venues for bowling, jiu jitsu and esports will be announced later.
Duong Vi Khoa, vice president of the Vietnam Recreational Esport Association and head of the Vietnam Esport delegation to the last SEA Games in the Philippines last year, has already said Dota 2, Arena of Valor and Pro Evolution Soccer will be three of the six games to be played at the games.
My Dinh National Stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies along with men's football and athletics events
The country has won home three bronze medals in esport in previous editions. The addition of the four sports increases the total number at next year's games to 40, 16 less than last year, with Vietnam blaming this on the economic downturn due to the Covid pandemic.
Vietnam was confirmed as the host nation after the capital city of Hanoi sybmitted a plan for the hosting of the region's biggest sports event to Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the General Department of Sports.
Vietnam first hosted the SEA Games, organised under the auspices of the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF), in 2003. The nation also hosted the 2009 Asian Indoor Games which included bowling.
The 31st SEA Games are scheduled to be held from November 21 to December 2, and the Para Games from December 14 to 21. Last year the nation finished second in the medals tally with 288 medals, including 98 golds.
Source: PanStadia & Arena Management Magazine.
