US$29 million to be earmarked for sports in 2013
The Government is expected to invest about VND600 billion (around US$29 million) in developing sports during 2013 as the country prepares for a busy year of national and international events.
The biggest event on the calendar will be the 27th Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar in December.
According to Lam Quang Thanh, Deputy Head of the National Sport Administration, more than VND46 billion will be spent on preparations to compete at the Games as the competition is regarded as a valuable chance to improve performances ahead of events such as the Asian Games in the Republic of Korea next year and the Rio de Janeiro Olympics two years later.
The investment will not be spread as widely across all sports, as was the case in the past, Thanh said.
Sports such as football, volleyball and table tennis, which lag behind others, will be assigned to their federations who will take full responsibility for their sport’s development.
However, the sustainable development of sports needs stronger support and sponsors from across the nation, including businesses and enterprises.