Aside from investing in and upgrading facilities, districts across Da Nang are providing opportunities for young talents to develop and contribute to the advancement of competitive sports by organising various sporting events. These efforts are crucial in driving the sports movement towards stronger growth.

The local authorities facilitate the development of young talents by organising various sports competitions. IN THE PHOTO: Athletes competing in the Thanh Khe ParkRun 2024. Photo: P.N

Nurturing young talents

With accessible venues and support from local authorities, sports activities from municipal-level down to grassroots level have increasingly attracted public participation.

In Hai Chau District, a structured competition system has been established, featuring several tournaments for youths such as badminton, table tennis, athletics, and swimming.

Ngo Anh Hung, a resident of Hai Chau 1 Ward, said "I have been passionate about table tennis for over five years, regularly competing in tournaments organised by Hai Chau District and other units. These competitions have allowed me to nurture my passion for sports, and through frequent participation, I have improved my skills and experience. If given the opportunity, I would love to become a professional athlete".

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Anh, sports officer at the Hai Chau District Cultural and Sports Centre, local sports tournaments play a vital role in developing young talents. Many promising athletes are identified and selected through district-level competitions. In the coming period, the district will continue to promote mass sports activities to identify, train, and nurture young talents.

Similarly, Thanh Khe District has organised various sports tournaments to foster young talents. Since the beginning of the year, the district has successfully hosted numerous competitions for young athletes, including cross-country, swimming, chess, badminton, table tennis, and basketball. These tournaments have been lively and competitive, drawing a large number of participants. The badminton tournament, for example, attracted over 1,500 athletes, including players from local clubs as well as from other provinces and cities in the Central and Central Highlands regions.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Dong, Deputy Director of the Thanh Khe District Cultural and Sports Centre, noted that talented young athletes have many opportunities to develop their skills through regular participation in district tournaments. Those with outstanding achievements are selected for the district's team where they train with coaches to prepare for city-level competitions, contributing to the pool of high-performance athletes.

Investing in and upgrading facilities

To boost the sports movement, districts have invested in and upgraded their sports facilities. According to Mr. Nguyen Duy Dong from the Thanh Khe District Cultural and Sports Centre, the district regularly promotes public participation in sports to improve health and build a civilised urban lifestyle.

To meet the diverse recreational needs of the public, the centre has constructed a swimming pool, athletic tracks, football and tennis courts, and indoor facilities for badminton and basketball. The newly inaugurated football pitch, in particular, has received positive feedback.

Additionally, the centre has established and maintained regular activities for clubs in table tennis, badminton, tennis, basketball, and running, thereby contributing to the development of sports culture in the district and providing a valuable platform for community interaction and solidarity.

The Son Tra District Cultural and Sports Centre is another popular venue for local residents. The centre, which has been fully developed and operates effectively across two locations in An Hai Tay and An Hai Bac wards, features office buildings, a library, a multi-purpose sports hall, tennis courts, a cultural house with over 800 seats, seven artificial grass football pitches, and five basketball courts.

In the same vein, since its inauguration in 2008, the Ngu Hanh Son District Cultural and Sports Centre has become a community hub for cultural and sports activities, meeting the recreational needs of local residents. The centre hosts over 500 people daily who come to practice and compete in sports such as football, tennis, table tennis, martial arts, and petanque. The centre's stadium, recently constructed to professional standards with a seating capacity of 5,000 and a high-quality grass pitch, ensures it can accommodate training and competition needs.

According to Mr. Nguyen Trong Thao, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, the city's mass sports movement has seen significant growth in recent years. Competitive sports have also achieved notable success, ranking among the top teams in various tournaments. This success is the result of concerted efforts to diversify sports competitions and invest in and upgrade facilities, thereby meeting the recreational needs of residents across districts.

Going forward, the city will continue to encourage and support local authorities in organising sports events and creating valuable opportunities for athletes, particularly young talents, to contribute to creating the pool of high-performance athletes.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by TRUC VY