Hanoi, Vietnam, May 20, 2022: The Timor Leste delegation at the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi held a small celebration to mark the 20th independence of the nation on Friday, May 20.
Athletes and team officials gathered in the NOC HQ room at the Hyatt Regency West Hanoi to pop champagne corks and share a 20th anniversary birthday cake along with other snacks and treats.
Pride of place in the celebration went to Timor Leste’s two medal-winning athletes to date – middle-distance runner Felisberto de Deus, 22, who won two silver medals in the men’s 5,000m and 10,000m, and 19-year-old Santina Adelaide de Sousa Fernandes, who earned a bronze in the women’s -49kg taekwondo.
The athletes and officials opened the party with a prayer before singing the national anthem and hearing a couple of congratulatory messages from the team leaders praising the spirit and dedication of the athletes and how they had represented Timor Leste with dignity and honour.
They also congratulated the newly elected President of the country, José Manuel Ramos-Horta, and looked forward to working with him for the betterment of sport and athletes in Timor Leste.
