On August 6, the China-Myanmar Sports Exchange & Donation Activity in preparation for Asian Games Hangzhou was held at Inya Lake in Yangon. The event was attended by 150 people, including Mr. Chen Hai, the Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar, U Min Thein Zan, the Myanmar Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, U Soe Thein, the Yangon Region Chief Minister, and representatives and athletes of the Myanmar associations of Wushu, Dragon Boat Rowing, and Soccer, as well as diplomats from the Embassy of China.
Ambassador Chen Hai made donations to the Myanmar associations of Wushu, Dragon Boat Rowing, and Soccer. In his speech, he stated that China attaches great importance to the development and international exchanges of sports, speeding up its strategy to build a leading sports nation to satisfy the people's aspirations for a better life and to promote the all-around development of human beings. SummerFISU World University Games is in full swing. Followed by the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou next month, Asian countries will sing together the Asian Games music of peace, friendship and progress as well. China and Myanmar, whose peoples are connected by kinship and cultures enjoy a natural affinity, have been engaging in sports exchanges and cooperation all along, having a keen interest in sports events hosted by each other. The refurbishment project for Thuwunna National Indoor Sports Stadium, initiated by China, has been completed, and it's now in service. The cooperation on reconstruction of Bogyoke Aung San Stadium is underway. Many athletes from Myanmar coached with the assistance of China have reached high levels of achievement in the South East Asia Games. China is interested in moving forward with Myanmar in the post-pandemic era that comes with sports exchanges and cooperation. I wish the Myanmar Sports Delegation a good performance in Asian Games Hangzhou.
Minister U Min Thein Zan expressed that Myanmar would provide firm support to China's hosting of the Asian Games Hangzhou and would send seven teams to compete in the event, including wushu, dragon boat, soccer, sepaktakraw, and taekwondo. Since 2013, China has been a keen partner in coaching Myanmar athletes, enabling the country to excel in international events such as South East Asia Games. This sports exchange and donation event is a further demonstration of the cultural exchange successes of both countries, for which Myanmar expressed its great appreciation and readiness to continue working with China for enhanced sports exchanges and cooperation.
The representatives from the Myanmar sports associations and athletes were grateful to the Chinese Embassy for the donation. They remarked that it would create better coaching conditions for the athletes who are gearing up and help them elevate their level of performance. The Myanmar athletes will compete and make new friends at Asian Games Hangzhou in the sportsmanship of tenacity, unity and fraternity.
The event saw a heated and friendly ambience. During the event, Myanmar wushu athletes and the wushu enthusiasts from the Chinese Embassy performed their traditional wushu skills. The Myanmar dragon boat athletes and Chinese diplomats also had a friendly dragon boat race. The Embassy presented souvenirs of Asian Games Hangzhou to the guests, athletes and the winning team of the dragon boat race.
