Day: April 6, 2022

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Indonesia wants its language to become one ASEAN official language

Indonesia will work to make Indonesian become one of official languages of ASEAN, according to Indonesian Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim.

In a statement on April 4, Makarim stressed that Indonesian language is worth to become an ASEAN official language on account of its historical, legal, and linguistic advantages.

At the international level, Indonesian has become the most spoken language in Southeast Asia and has spread to 47 countries around the world, he said.

The Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) learning activity has been held by 428 institutions, he noted, adding that Indonesian language is taught as a university subject in several world-class campuses in Europe, the US, Australia, and Asia.

With all these factors, Indonesian could become the intermediate language for official ASEAN meetings, he said.

In March, Malaysia also proposed to promote its language as an official and intermediate language of ASEAN. In this regard, Makarim said that Malaysia’s aspiration still need to be considered and discussed further at the regional level.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

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SEA Games 31: Vietnam in Group A of men’s football

Vietnam are pooled in Group A of the men’s football at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) together with Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Timor Leste, as the result of a draw held in April 6.

Group B comprises of Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos.

The seed groups were based on teams’ performance at the two most recent SEA Games in 2017 and 2019. Vietnam and Thailand were in the top seed group.

Teams are to play each other in a round-robin format in the group stage and the top two of groups A and B will qualify for the semi-finals. Fixtures will be held at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho and Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh from May 6.

Meanwhile, Vietnam are in Group A in women’s football along with the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia.

Vietnam won gold medals of both men’s and women’s football in the previous SEA Games.

SEA Games 31, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring localities from May 12 to 23. It will feature 40 sports with 526 events and expect to attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the pandemic’s impact.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

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Bac Giang province ready for badminton matches of SEA Games

Bac Giang province, the host of badminton matches of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), has basically completed preparations and is now ready for the regional sports event.

Ngyen Trong Bac, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the matches will take place at the province’s gymnasium in Dinh Ke ward of Bac Giang city from May 16 to 22. This 4,500-seat gymnasium meets international standards and is one of the most modern of its kind in the northern region.

To prepare for the Games, the province has spent nearly 10 billion VND (437,300 USD) on upgrading this venue and procuring new equipment, he said, adding that communications activities have also been promoted, with statues of Saola – the mascot of Sea Games 31, banners, and posters placed across Bac Giang city.

The provincial Department of Health and relevant agencies has selected 20 health care personnel and arranged sufficient medical supplies for the event.

Meanwhile, the recruitment of volunteers has been carried out since March. Muong Thanh Bac Giang Hotel, where athletes will stay while competing here, has also geared up itself for serving delegations, according to Bac.

As many as 127 athletes from eight countries, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam, are expected to compete in badminton.

The official said this is the first time Bac Giang province hosts a regional sports event, and it pledges to create the best possible conditions for the Games.

Aside from the main venue in Hanoi, Bac Giang is one of the 11 other localities that will host competitions of the 31st SEA Games, slated for May 12 – 23.

The Games, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will feature 40 sports with 526 events and expect to attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the pandemic’s impact.

At the 30th SEA Games in 2019, Vietnam finished second in the medal standings, with 98 golds, 85 silvers and 105 bronzes, following the hosts the Philippines.

Source: Vietnam News Agency