Da Nang is one of localities nationwide having focused on developing high-achieving sports. In just 6 years, the city has issued many preferential policies to reward and support coaches and athletes who have gained their outstanding achievements at national and international sports events, thereby creating more motivation for them to dedicate themselves to fully achieving their potential.

Thanks to the city’s preferential support policies, rower Pham Thi Hue (front) is completely assured of her future to dedicate herself to Da Nang’s boat racing sector

Da Nang Athlete Training Centre Director Nguyen Dong Hai expressed his excited about the Da Nang People’s Council-issued Resolution No. 33/2021/NQ-HDND on regulations on the bonus regime for coaches and athletes in Da Nang.

Director Hai added coaches and athletes in Da Nang have received monthly allowances and cash rewards for their outstanding achievements at national and international sports events. Besides, they have been facilitated to participate in vocational training courses or seek suitable jobs after ending their elite sports career. This has created more motivation for them to dedicate themselves to the city’s sports sector.

As only for national championships from 2016 to 2020, the number of gold medals that have gained by local athletes has increased from 169 in 2016 to 177 in 2017, 190 in 2018, 210 in 2019, and 215 in 2020. This has shown the steady growth of the city’s high-performance sports over that period.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Trong Thao remarked, in the fact that, most of their careers are very short. Many professional athletes' careers are over by the time they reach 30. Therefore, the city's special care for athletes is even more valuable.

Over the past years, a number of athletes have benefited from the city’s treatment policies. For instance, rower Pham Thi Hue, swimmer Hoang Quy Phuoc, race walker Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc, and taekwondo fighter Tran Thi Anh Tuyet, along with medalists at the world, Southeast Asian and Asian championships have had more relaxed private lives than before.

In addition, athletes who came out of retirement have facilitated to get stable job according to their wishes. In particular, retired swimmers Nguyen Van Ty, Pham Truong Giang and Chau Ba Anh Tu have been arranged to train local swimmers for the city.

Coach of the city’s Athletics Team Tran Anh Hiep said "Previously, gold medalists at national sports festival and national championships were only awarded VND5 million VND/medal. Now the cash bonuses have increased to VND12 million and VND10 million at the aforementioned events, respectively”.

Coach Hiep said he and local athletes compete not only for the rewards but also for the "color of the flag and the shirt" of Da Nang’s sports sector, and or the honour of themselves. However, the city's spirit and in-kind support has motivated them to to dedicate themselves to the local sports sector.

Reporting by BAO AN - Translating by M.D