Since Da Nang government allowed for sports training to resume on October 16, members and coaches of Da Nang’s boat racing team have been jumping at the chance to compete again while heeding COVID-19 restrictions. Recently, the team members have been returning to practice, hoping to regain the time they’ve lost from their sports.

Boasting very young talented athletes who have achieved many outstanding results in the national and international sports arena, the Da Nang Boat Racing Team promise to gain more success in the future. Photo: HUU DUNG

Without a doubt, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has severely impacted on local boat racers’ lives and training routines.

In particular, during the city’s social distancing period, all members of the Dong Nghe Boat Racing Club were only allowed to attend indoor training courses in their club. Athletes participating in social distancing found it harder to train on their own. Staying fit became increasingly difficult, especially because of the sporadic lockdown orders.

Also, as athletes have less opportunity for team training, they must find the self-determination to keep themselves in shape and in good condition for their sport. Athletes are also having a decline in growth due to lack of opportunities to play.

As a result, having their athletic goals put on hold and their training routines disrupted can take a toll on athletes' mental health.

In an effort to help boat racers get inspired to indoor workouts, the club’s Board of Director proactively provided training lessons through such movement games as football, volleyball, and badminton in order to help them avoid boredom during their training period. In addition, such exercises help athletes avoid injury when they have to do too much physical exercise on land.

Currently, boat racers are practicing together in preparation for forthcoming national and international sports competitions. Included will be the National Rowing and Canoeing Championship 2021 which is set to take place in Hai Phong between November 17 and December 4, and the 9^th National Sports Festival in Quang Ninh Province in November 2022.

As planned, Da Nang boat racing team will undergo training in Hai Phong City 15 days ahead of the forthcoming National Rowing and Canoeing Championship 2021 in order to make them familiar with the competition venue. This is considered as an important step to prepare for the 9^th National Sports Festival.

However, the boat racing team’s biggest goal is to contribute 2-3 gold medals to the Vietnamese sports delegation at the 31^st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) to be hosted by Viet Nam.

Currently, some talented athletes of the Da Nang Boat Racing team such as Pham Thi Hue, Pham Chung, Vo Nhu Sang, Vo Duy Thanh, Nguyen Van Tien, Hien Nam, Y Khoer Nie, Tran Thanh Cuong and Nguyen Tuong Duy, are still maintaining their performances in the training process.

It is understandable that the Da Nang Boat Racing Team is completely confident of success in the upcoming sports events because it possesses many young talented athletes, including Pham Thi Hue, Pham Chung and Vo Nhu Sang.

Reporting by NGUYEN AN - Translating by M.D