With fewer than six months remaining, the countdown to SEA Games 33 in Thailand is intensifying. While the host country finalizes preparations, Vietnam’s sporting community is entering a decisive phase of roster evaluation, determined to not only remain in the top three but to use the event as a springboard for broader ambitions on the continental stage.

Recently, the host nation opened official registration for around 18,000 athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries, who will compete across Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla. As the clock ticks down, training efforts are in full swing across Vietnam’s national sports training centers.

Nationwide, national teams are undergoing a crucial selection period. Their united goal: to defend a top-three position in the overall medal tally, targeting at least 80 gold medals. Every training session, every selection decision, is geared toward achieving this high-stakes objective.

A representative of the Vietnam Olympic Committee confirmed that preparations for SEA Games 33 are being carried out urgently. However, the number of athletes and coaches to be registered for the Games will remain confidential until the final deadline of September 1, as this is considered a key part of the competitive strategy.

Approximately 1,000 elite members are being reviewed for registration, each one carefully chosen to maximize the country’s medal potential. Every slot on the trip to Thailand represents not just hope, but focused investment.

Yet, as sports expert Nguyen Hong Minh, former Director of Elite Sports 1, points out, SEA Games should not be viewed as the ultimate goal. “We strive for gold at Southeast Asia’s biggest sports event, but roster decisions should also reflect our ambitions for larger arenas like the Asian Games and the Olympics,” he explained.

This perspective reflects Vietnam’s broader sporting vision. While maintaining top results and regional prestige is vital, SEA Games is also a key opportunity to assess, test, and prepare athletes for the higher demands of continental and global competitions.

In this sense, the road to SEA Games 33 is more than just a race for medals. It is a strategic balancing act between immediate achievement and future aspirations - a test of both physical performance and long-term planning.

PV