Attending the opening ceremony were Nguyen Dinh Viet, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, and Ha Trung Chien, member of the provincial Party Committee’s Standing Board and Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, among other officials; athletes; and local residents.

The opening ceremony was broadcast live on Snews and the digital platforms of Son La Newspaper and Radio-Television.

The opening ceremony began with a parade showcasing the participating forces, led by the procession of the national flag, a palanquin bearing a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, the Games emblem and a contingent carrying red flags. This was followed by a parade of 39 delegations of athletes and referees, the traditional torch-lighting ritual and oaths taken by athletes and referees.

The Games features more than 3,000 officials, coaches and athletes competing in 12 sports: tug of war, stick pushing, crossbow shooting, con throwing, pickleball, table tennis, badminton, football, shuttlecock kicking, taekwondo, volleyball and athletics.

Eight sports had been completed before the opening ceremony, while the remaining four - athletics, shuttlecock kicking, volleyball and taekwondo - are scheduled to take place after the ceremony.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chien stressed that the Games was not only an occasion to showcase the strength, determination and solidarity of the province’s ethnic communities, but also an opportunity for athletes to exchange experience, learn from one another and demonstrate their talent and mettle, helping identify and nurture promising athletes for the province’s high-performance sports.

Chien called on the organising committee to ensure the Games takes place in a disciplined and scientific manner, and referees to perform their duties fairly, objectively and in accordance with the rules. He urged athletes to uphold solidarity, honesty and sportsmanship, give their best and achieve the highest possible results. Relevant agencies and units were also asked to coordinate in maintaining security and public order and ensuring medical services and safety throughout the event.

Immediately after the opening ceremony, a friendly football match took place between the provincial Department of Public Security and the provincial Military Command. In a spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity, the two teams delivered an exciting and closely contested match, kicking off a series of competitions at the Games.

The Games will run until October 30./.