Vietnam to Host 2003 Southeast Asian Games

Vietnam has been chosen to host the 2003 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, according senior officer of the Vietnam Sports Committee (VSC) on Monday.

On his return from Kuala Lumpur, Doan Thao, Deputy Chairman of the VSC, said the decision was made during a recent annual meeting of the SEA Games Federation (SGF) held in the capital of Malaysia, the local press reported on Monday.

This is the first time Vietnam has been chosen to host the prestigious SEA Games, which is the region's biggest sporting event.

It also constitutes a further step for the country's effort to be a regional sporting power.

Thao said most of the events will be held in Hanoi at a new purpose-built sports complex on the outskirts of the city.

The SGF also discussed next year's 21st SEA Games in Malaysia, at which 30 events are scheduled to be held.

The 20th SEA Games held in Brunei in 1999 covered only 21 sporting events.

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