Viet Nam will debut at the 2013 PyeongChang Special Olympics World Winter Games for people with intellectual disabilities in PeyongChang, South Korea.

The nation will be represented by 13-year-old Hoang Van Cuong and 20-year-old Nguyen Ngoc Bao Tram.

They will compete in snow shoeing events.

Other countries to debut at the Games (fromJanuary 29 to February 5) are Thailand, Cambodia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea.

The event organisers will provide financial aid to all debutants for accommodation, travel, uniforms and equipment.

The tournament is an occasion for 2,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities from more than 110 countries to compete in an atmosphere of acceptance and dignity – showing how they can, through sports, bring justice, build acceptance, foster inclusion and change the world.

They will compete in seven events including alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snow boarding, snow shoeing, speed skating, figure skating and floor hockey. — VNS