KUALA LUMPUR – The 31st SEA Games, which is scheduled to take place from Nov 21 through Dec 2 in Hanoi has been postponed due to the rising Covid-19 cases in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
A source in the sports fraternity told The Vibes that there will be a meeting on June 9 between the SEA Games organising committee and the National Olympic Councils of the respective countries to discuss further on the postponement of the region's multi-sport event.
“They have written to all the NOCs about the postponement and on June 9, they will have a virtual meeting to elaborate more on the matter.
“A new date has not been decided yet, but I believe that it will be updated at the meeting,” said the source.
As many as 40 sports with 520 categories were expected to be held in the capital city of Hanoi and 11 other provinces and cities, including Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Hai Duong, Vin Phuc, Bac Giang and Phu Tho.
Another source from Vietnam told The Vibes earlier today that the Covid-19 virus is spreading fast in the north and south, and the 21-day quarantine regulations is a barrier to hosting the Games at the end of this year.
“It is a challenge to host the Games," it was said citing the fact that there will be too many conditions imposed if it goes ahead and that will make it difficult for all the participating countries.
“They could move it to March 2022, but nothing is confirmed yet,” said the source.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health confirmed that as of June 7, the number of cases have reached 8,580 with 49 deaths. The latest cases have been reported in Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Name, where some of the SEA Games events were scheduled to take place. - The Vibes, June 7, 2021.
