Thai media has reported that Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, a standout player of the Vietnamese women’s volleyball team, will not be participating in the 33rd SEA Games.

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Thai media confirmed that Bich Tuyen will not participate in SEA Games 33.

Thailand News Agency confirmed Bich Tuyen’s absence, stating: “According to information from the SEA Games 33 Organizing Committee, Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, a star of Vietnam’s national women’s volleyball team who played a crucial role in helping her team win the second leg of the SEA V-League 2025, will not be on the roster for the 2025 SEA Games.”

The same source said that the Vietnam Volleyball Federation (VFV) did not register 25-year-old Bich Tuyen to compete in the SEA Games. The deadline for athlete registration was September 15, and her name does not appear on the official list for Vietnam’s women’s volleyball team, even though she participated in SEA Games 31 hosted in Vietnam.

“This marks the second time Bich Tuyen has been left out of the Vietnamese women’s volleyball squad for an international competition, the first being the 2025 World Championship,” Thailand News Agency added.

Thai media also reported: “At the SEA Games 33 Chief Delegates Meeting held in August, Mr. Chaiphak Siriwat, CEO of the SEA Games Federation, emphasized that gender verification procedures would be enforced at this year’s SEA Games.”

As of now, the VFV has not made an official statement regarding Bich Tuyen’s absence. However, the federation confirmed that gender testing will be strictly conducted in accordance with regulations.

“Athletes participating in the SEA Games will undergo eligibility screening as per the guidelines of the SEA Games Organizing Committee and the Department of Physical Training and Sports,” the VFV stated.

A representative of the Department of Physical Training and Sports noted that no team has finalized its list of athletes for the SEA Games 33 in Thailand. The department, in coordination with team coaches, is still reviewing and selecting athletes. The final registration of Vietnam’s delegation with the SEA Games Organizing Committee is expected to be completed by mid-November 2025.

Dai Nam