VietNamNet Bridge - The 2008 Vietnam Open Sepak Takraw Championship opened in southern Dong Nai province on December 23 with the participation of nearly 100 athletes from six Asian countries.

Sepak takraw players from the Republic of Korea, China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam compete in four events, including men’s doubles, women’s doubles, men’s team and women’s team.

President of the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (ASTF) Abdul Halim Bin Kader said at the opening ceremony that the tournament had offered an opportunity for athletes to improve their skills as well as to strengthen the friendship and solidarity between regional countries.

The event, which will last until December 28, coincides with Dong Nai province’s celebrations to mark the 310 anniversary of Bien Hoa-Dong Nai.

It is jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Sepak Takraw Federation, the ASTF, and the Dong Nai provincial People’s Committee.

(Source: ND)