HA NOI (VNS) – Viet Nam will host the 21st International Military Sports Council (CISM) in HCM City on October 19-26.

The tournament will attracted the participation of more than 220 participants from 34 delegations who will compete in 16 categories (eight for women), including combat competitions and six performance categories.

With the slogan of Friendship through Sport, the annual tournament promotes sport training in the militaries of member countries.

"This will be a high quality competition with participants who are leading athletes from around the world," said Colonel Nguyen Van Luan, head of Viet Nam's team.

Viet Nam has been hoping to win the right to host the tournament since 2004.

"In recent years countries have strongly invested in taekwondo, a sport that receives great attention from the military," said Luan.

As the host, Viet Nam has registered 34 athletes. Among them are the trio of Nguyen Thi Thu Ngan, Chau Tuyet Van and Nguyen Thi Le Kim, expected to take a title in the women's team performance. They are the defending world and Asia champions.

Meanwhile in the combat events, Nguyen Kim Long (under-50kg) Doan Thi Huong Giang (U50kg) and Nguyen Thanh Thao (U52kg) are also medal hopefuls.

This the first time performance events are included in the programme, making the tournament the largest ever.

Viet Nam's best result was two silver medals at the 2010 and 1998 editions. This year the host team hopes to end the tourney in the top 15 on the overall medal tally. – VNS