HANOI FOREIGN RELATION ACTIVITIES
Nearly 100 amateur tennis players from various agencies in Hanoi,as well as those from some city-based embassies and international organizations joined the Friendship Tennis Tournament 2024 last weekend.
The tournament also contributes to strengthening friendly cooperation between Hanoi and embassies and international organizations in the capital, according to Tran Thi Phuong, Permanent Vice President of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations (HAUFO) – one of the event’s organizers.
The tournament also contributes to strengthening friendly cooperation between Hanoi and embassies and international organizations in the capital. Photo: The Hanoi Times
This event is among a series of activities marking the 70th Liberation day of Hanoi and 25th anniversary of its designation as a UNESCO City for Peace.
Held annually, it provides an opportunity for foreign diplomats working in Hanoi to meet and interact with officials from various sectors through cultural and sports activities, thereby enhancing solidarity and friendship between the Hanoi and international friends.
“Sports bring wonders to the world and humanity. Health is a precious asset for everyone, and participating in sports activities helps enhance mental well-being and physical fitness”, Phuong from HAUFO stated at the tournament’s opening event on September 22.
She believed that via the tournament, the athletes will have more opportunities to connect and understand each other better, thus fostering love and attachment to Hanoi.
The tournament attracted nearly 100 amateur tennis players who competed in men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles in the 31-40, 41-50, and 51-60 age groups.
Participants mainly came from the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, various member friendship associations, embassies, and international organizations including Australia, Israel, the USA, Russia, Japan, and the Filipino community in Hanoi.
In the end, in the women's singles category, the organizers awarded the first prize in the 31-40 age group to Marina Xaganova (Russian Embassy); first prize in the men's singles category in the 31-40 age group to Tran Thanh Do (Vietnam-UK Friendship Association); first prize in the men's singles in the 41-50 age group to Jonathan Baker (Head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam); and first prize the men's singles in the 51-60 age group to David Fidex (US Embassy).
In the men's doubles, the pair Tran Thanh Do and Do Van Vuong (Vietnam-UK Friendship Association) won the first prize in the 31-40 age group; Doan Long and Tran Hanh (UNESCO Hanoi Association) took first place in the 41-50 age group; and Nguyen Mong Thang and Tran Phuong (French Embassy) won first prize in the 52-60 age group. In the mixed doubles category, Utsumi Rai and Utsumi Mako won first prize in the 41-50 age group.
Cam Anh