Le Minh Thuan (red gloves) competes in the 2017 National Karate Youth Championship
“Bumper harvest” of medals
By the beginning of September 2017, Thua Thien Hue has gotten more than 410 medals of all kinds. Sports covered by the Intermediate School of Sports alone (Badminton, Chess, Shuttlecock kicking, Athletics, Karatedo, Taekwondo, Wrestling, Judo, Archery) have brought 377 medals of all kinds, with 355 medals from domestic events (100 gold, 109 silver, 146 bronze) and 22 from international events (12 gold, 5 silver, 5 bronze). Compared to 2016 (303 medals), the number of medals from the first eight months of 2017 have exceeded by 74 medals. Quality has also increased with many medals from international events such as gold medals from the SEA Games and various medals from Asian events - which Hue sports could not win for many years.
The reason for such a dramatic increase in medals is because this is the time when the province's athletes are at the peak in their performance. First of all, two athletes have achieved success in the SEA Games. In 2017, Tran Thi Yen Hoa from the athletics team won 2 domestic medals (one gold, one silver) and 6 international ones (5 gold, 1 silver). Similarly, Le Minh Thuan of the karate team also collected 5 domestic medals (3 gold, 2 bronze) and 2 international ones (1 gold, 1 silver). Compared to their own achievements in the same league in previous years, the results of 2017 are better.
Other sports of Thua Thien Hue such as Wrestling, Taekwondo, etc. also have the “golden faces”, among them are Nguyen Thi My Hanh (silver medal from the Asian Youth Wrestling Championship), Nguyen Thi My Trang (bronze medal from the Asian Youth Wrestling Championship), Do Thi Thanh Ngan (bronze medal from the Asian Youth Taekwondo Championship). The coaches of the two teams themselves acknowledge that it is the first time the athletes have ever gotten high-achievement in championships at the continental level, since the formation of the teams.
Mr. Ha Xuan Binh, Vice Principal of the Provincial Intermediate School of Sports, said that if we compare sport activities to planting trees, at the present, the province is harvesting their fruits when the athletes have reached their peak. Also, the quality of the athletes of the units is very high, so winning is the proof of their true maturity. In tournaments, experts also highly evaluated the athletes of Thua Thien Hue.
Tran Thi Yen Hoa reaches the finish line of the Women’s 100m hurdles at the 29th SEA Games. Photo: Internet.
To prolong the peaks
Right after the provincial athletes had achieved their feats in the international arena, there were concerns about the retention of athletes. Even coaches admitted, many clubs contacted with the intention of "purchasing" Hue athletes, but they have resolutely refused.
The coach's stand on the matter is a good sign to keep the athletes who are rich in achievements. However, for the “golden faces” to stay with Hue sports, it depends on a lot of factors, including the policies of incentives and training for athletes, and most importantly they need to see a stable future when they stay.
Hue is a land that has produced many generations of talented athletes, but many of them have gone and found their new home as they reach their peaks. The most visible evidence is the chess players, such as Bao Tram, Nhu Y, Thanh Khiet ... It is difficult to blame the athletes as the salary and incentives of their chosen clubs are more attractive, and longingness for a stable future is the wish and desire of everyone, so their choices are understandable.
This is the most problematic time to "keep" the athletes as the 2018 National Sports Festival is approaching. At the present, clubs are aggressively seeking to recruit talented athletes and of course, the athletes of the Old Capital with successes in the international arena are already in their line of sight.
According to many coaches, the problem can be resolved if the relevant departments have flexible solutions. With really talented athletes, there should be suitable benefit offers, including a policy of preferential tenure for them so that they can settle down and focus on training and competition. This is a good way to do, as those who have many accomplishments will be more experienced in teaching the next generation if they themselves conduct the training.
With young athletes with good performance, there should be investment incentives, especially by creating opportunities to allow athletes to have more training trips abroad, gain access to modern sports practice and polish themselves against other talented athletes. At the same time, when there are good achievements, there should be timely rewards.
By Huu Phuc