New strategy for the training of high-level athletes

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After leaving the last two editions of the Olympic Games (OG) empty-handed, Vietnamese sport has begun to expose its weaknesses. Although it often stands out during the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), it still struggles to establish itself in major competitions such as the Asian Games (ASIAD) or the Olympics. The performances of Vietnamese athletes reveal a notable gap compared to the Olympic favorites, making it difficult to hope for a miracle.

Identify challenges…

Even before the opening of the Paris Olympics last August, a series of problems in Vietnamese sport had been identified. The number of young talents in certain high-level disciplines remains modest. The country also lacks qualified national coaches to improve technical performance. These difficulties, combined with the usual obstacles (insufficient infrastructure, lack of funding to recruit experts, organize training courses and competitions abroad, etc.), slow down training and reduce athletes’ results.

Aware of these issues, those responsible for the sports sector have deemed it necessary to concentrate all resources on the development of human resources in high-level sport. It is essential to build a large and qualified team of athletes and coaches, while creating numerous key positions (teachers, researchers, technicians, managers) to support and meet the requirements of the training process.

According to the project “Selection, training and development of sports talents and human resources in high-level sport by 2035”, 16 disciplines (athletics, swimming, weightlifting, sports shooting, archery, taekwondo, wrestling, fencing, boxing, gymnastics, cycling, rowing, karate, pencak silat, wushu and football) were selected from 32 key disciplines to focus on training.

Vietnam aims to select and train around 3,700 talented athletes by 2035. To support this new generation of young talents, it is necessary to train around 600 coaches, 400 graduates, 300 masters and 150 doctors in sports.

As stated by the Director of the Vietnam Sports Authority under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Dang Hà Viêt, to improve the technical quality of athletes, the sports sector should select a new generation of athletes and divide them into three main groups. The first will consist of the top 30 individuals with the ability to win gold medals at ASIAD and meeting Olympic standards. They will benefit from favorable conditions to follow long-term internships abroad. The second will concern promising athletes for the ASIAD. In addition to training in the country, they will be sent abroad to participate in international competitions and follow short courses. The last group will bring together athletes from popular disciplines in Vietnam, such as football, volleyball or tennis. The sports sector will maximize society’s resources while combining the state budget to support their training.

This division into distinct groups will help sport officials quickly determine training methods and locations. This will also make it possible to strengthen the development of executives, coaches and experts, while outlining specific directions for each sporting discipline.

…and find solutions

Director of the Vietnam Sports Authority, Dang Hà Viêt, stressed: “It takes up to ten years of training for a ‘rough diamond’ to achieve initial results in the national competition system. While it is necessary to research and train thousands of athletes so that only one is capable of winning the ASIAD or claiming an Olympic medal. This process requires a lot of commitment, time and financial resources. Furthermore, for the plan to be executed consistently, it is crucial to have the support of a structured selection system in all 63 provinces and cities, at all levels, from primary school to university”.

In recent years, the capital’s authorities have always prioritized investment in the infrastructure and equipment necessary for training and competitions. On August 26, 2022, the city promulgated Plan No. 230, aiming to establish a mechanism to attract sports talents.

In the first phase, from 2022 to 2025, the focus is on researching and proposing mechanisms and policies to attract talents, while encouraging organizations and individuals to participate in training and development.

In the second phase, from 2026 to 2030, the capital will focus on studying and proposing changes to the reward systems and forms for Olympic medal-winning athletes and coaches, while continuing to adjust the mechanisms and policies according to reality.

Since the beginning of 2024, athletes winning gold, silver and bronze medals at the Olympics have received monthly remuneration of 74.5 million, 41 million and 33.5 million dong respectively. Those who qualify for the Olympics will receive support of 17 million VND per month. This level of support, a record for national sport, will be maintained continuously for four years, in accordance with the Olympic cycle.

These decisions demonstrate the capital’s desire to encourage athletes to redouble their efforts, in order to bring glory to their region and to Vietnamese sport as a whole.

Phuong Nga/CVN