The Vietnam Olympics Committee will prepare to host the third Asian Indoor Games while cooperating with the General Department of Sports and Physical Training to help Laos develop its sports sector and host the 25^th SEA Games scheduled for later this year.

The committee will also help other nations such as Cambodia, Brunei, Nepal and East Timor and will seek funding for outstanding athletes to compete in the international games, Mr Thai said.

Vietnam has been upgrading its sports venues for the third Asian Indoor Games that will take place from October 30 to November 8, 2009. An estimated 1,000 sports officials and 5,000 athletes from 45 countries and territories will participate in the event.

2008 was a successful year for sports in Vietnam as the country won a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics, a gold medal in the AFF Cup tournament for men’s football and many other golds at regional competitions.

VietNamNet/VNA