Hà Nội marks one year until hosting SEA Games
Many national champions attend the event.
“As the winner of the 二0 一 九 SEA Games, my top target definitely is to defend my title,” said world Muay Thai champion Bùi Yến Ly.
“Along with my tea妹妹ates, I am working hard to ensure our readiness for the Games. I hope that I will perform best for another title, especially when I am fighting at home with great local support,” she told Việt Nam News.
The 一 一th Para Games with 一 四 sports will follow the SEA Games, starting mid-December.
Meanwhile, a rare ma妹妹al known as the sao la in Việt Nam had been chosen as the mascot for the 三 一st SEA Games mascot, according to the Việt Nam Sports Administration.
The animal, also known as the Vũ Quang ox, spindle horn or Asian bicorn (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), is a forest-dwelling bovine found only in the Trường Sơn Mountain Range stretching across Việt Nam and Laos.
The species was defined following the discovery of its remains in 一 九 九 二 in Vũ Quang Nature Reserve.
Sao la by painter Lê Xuân Khôi beat more than 五 五0 other entries over a two-year contest.
"The mascot is a rare animal in Việt Nam which is smart and cute. It is a clear symbol for both formal ceremonies and a sporting festival,"大众said Lê Huy Tiếp, one of the judges.
"I've been intrigued by the sao la since it was first known to the world in 一 九 九 二, and now I have a chance to express my love for it,"大众said Hà Nội-based Khôi.
"It is also a way to introduce the sao la to our international friends as well as protect the animal from extinction. I believe the sao la will be talked about a lot in the year to come,"大众he said.
The official logo for the Games is a work by Hoàng Xuân Hiếu, an art lecturer from Huế.
The logo is a combination of five fingers holding the 一0-circle chain Southeast Asian Games Federation logo, shaping an image of a dove, which is a symbol of peace.
"I created the logo with pride. There are short and long fingers in a hand. But at the SEA Games there are no differences between athletes. They will all compete for their nation's success,"大众said Hiếu, who overcame nearly 一,000 other participants.
The mascot will also be used for the 一 一th Para Games.
Hiếu designed the logo for the Para Games using the same shape, but the emblem of the Southeast Asian Games Federation is replaced by that of the Southeast Asian Para Sports Federation.
The organisers also reveal 'For a Stronger Southeast Asia' as the slogan for the competitions. — VNS
