President Truong Tan Sang yesterday congratulated the nation's athletes for their achievements at the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games 28 in Singapore, saying they would motivate development of the sports sector in Vietnam.

President Truong Tan Sang greets coaches and athletes who participated in the SEA Games 28 at the Presidential Palace yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang

At the event, Vietnam pocketed a total of 73 gold medals, 53 silvers, and 60 bronzes to rank third in the overall medal table. Vietnamese athletes made 13 new records at the Games.

Female swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien won the most medals for Vietnam with eight golds, a silver and a bronze.

Applauding the athletes' feats, Sang said that whenever they competed in such events, they should remember that they represented the nation.

He said the Government would create favourable conditions for the sports sector.

He also expressed the hope that the country's athletes would be able to improve their Southeast Asian and world rankings over the next five years.