Seoul (VNA) – Minister of Culture, Sports andTourism Nguyen Van Hung met with President of the International OlympicCommittee (IOC) Thomas Bach in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, on October 18.

The meeting took place within the framework of the 26th General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).

Highly valuing Vietnam’s efforts to develop sports in thecountry, he expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Government will give moreattention to and investment in boosting sports, especially Olympic ones, sothat the country can secure a higher stature at continental and internationalsport arenas.

He affirmed the IOC’s attention to Vietnam and noted he hopesto have a chance for in-depth discussion with Minister Hung to learn more aboutsports in the country so as to provide appropriate assistance.

For his part, Hung said the Vietnamese Government always paysattention to sports development.

He added the National Assembly issued the revised Law onPhysical Training and Sports in 2018, which is a solid legal corridor forsports development in the country.

At a working session with James Macleod - Director of the IOC’sDepartment of Relations with National Olympic Committees, Minister Hung said asa responsible member, Vietnam has fully taken part in activities of the IOCsuch as sending athletes to the Olympic Games and cooperating with organisationsto promote the Olympic movement in the country.

In particular, thanks to more support for women to practisesports, a number of female athletes of Olympic sports have obtained highachievements at regional and continental tourneys, he went on.

The official proposed the IOC increase training courses forathletes of such Olympic sports as football, swimming, shooting, and weightlifting,which Vietnam wishes to foster. He also called on the IOC to carry out aproject on building the headquarters of the National Olympic Committee of Vietnamearly.

Macleod said the IOC is delighted at Vietnam’s successes,especially in developing sports with the engagement of women, which ismeaningful to not only sports but also society.

He underlined that the IOC is always ready to work with Vietnamin the issues Hung mentioned, noting aside from organising training courses,providing technical assistance, and granting scholarships for sport talents,there remain many areas in which the two sides can cooperate./.