The Southeast Asian Sports Council has added Vovinam (Vietnamese martial arts) to the next Southeast Asian Games.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Southeast Asian Sports Council has added Vovinam (traditional Vietnamese martial arts) to the next Southeast Asian Games.

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At a meeting of the Council in Indonesia on May 28-30, Vietnamese Olympic Committee Secretary General Hoang Vinh Giang proposed Vovinam be included in the December, 2011 SEA Games. Indonesia and some other member countries warmly supported the idea but Malaysia and the Philippines disagreed.

After debate, consensus was reached on adding Vovinam and petanque to the list. Some other proposed additions were rejected, including Muay Thai and bodybuilding.

In Southeast Asia, Vovinam is now practiced in Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos and Cambodia as well as in its country of origin.

The SEA Games are the region’s premier sporting event. They are held every two years. SEA Games 2009 were held in Laos, and the 2011 games will be hosted by Indonesia.

Vovinam is a famous Vietnamese martial art founded by grandmaster Nguyen Loc in 1938. Master Nguyen Loc combined martial arts techniques, self-esteem, discipline and oriental philosophy to form Vovinam.

Vovinam has been developing in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa. Its membership, including overseas Vietnamese and foreigners, has been increasing.

PV