With the new academic year underway, schools across Da Nang continue to focus on developing sports within the educational system. Training programmes and exciting sports activities are being implemented, sparking enthusiasm among students.

Pupils at the Tran Dai Nghia Junior High School are eager to get acquainted with pickleball under the guidance of their teacher. Photo: P.N

At the Tran Dai Nghia Junior High School, Ngu Hanh Son District, a lively atmosphere of sports training and activities prevails. 6^th-grade students  are particularly enthusiastic as their teachers introduce them to pickleball, a new sport the school has incorporated into its curriculum since the start of the 2024-2025 academic year.

According to Mr. Truong Cong Tuan, Head of the Physical Education Department, the school continues to emphasise sports activities this academic year. In addition to the standard physical education lessons prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training, the school offers elective sports such as pickleball, football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and chess. These sports classes are attracting a large number of students. The school currently boasts a multi-purpose sports hall, which facilitates training in a variety of sports, along with a football pitch and a portable swimming pool. Each year, the school organises competitions to create a competitive sports atmosphere for students.

At the Nguyen Van Thoai Senior High School based in Cam Le District, sports activities also spark a lot of excitement among students. Nguyen Bao Khang, an 11^th-grade student, shared: “I play several sports at school, but my favourite is badminton. This year, I’ve chosen it as my elective. With the teachers’ guidance, my skills and competitive abilities have significantly improved. I hope to be selected for the school’s badminton team to compete in tournaments organised by other institutions.”

Mr. Nguyen Quang Quoc Cong, Head of the Physical Education and National Defence Department, noted that the school’s sports facilities, including a well-constructed football pitch, meet the students’ needs for recreational and competitive sports. The school currently offers four elective sports: football, volleyball, badminton, and basketball. Additionally, sports clubs are regularly active, organising activities for members to practice and enhance their skills. As a result, the sports movement at the school continues to thrive. The school also plans to introduce swimming lessons, though it currently lacks a swimming pool and hopes for investment from the Department of Education and Training.

The education sector currently has about 70 multi-purpose sports halls, over 200 sports fields, and nearly 70 swimming pools. Some schools have sports fields capable of hosting lessons in five to six different sports that are popular among students. To promote and sustain sports activities, schools organise lessons in sports that suit their facilities and meet the students’ interests. At Phan Chau Trinh Senior High School, Hai Chau District, sports like badminton, table tennis, swimming, volleyball, and basketball have been introduced, with these sports being the school’s main strengths. Teachers often integrate competitive elements during lessons to increase excitement and help students hone their skills in their chosen sports.

To boost the development of school sports, local authorities organise numerous annual competitions. This year, these competitions continue to provide students with healthy and engaging outlets. With the new academic year starting, the Department of Education and Training in Ngu Hanh Son District has developed plans to organise sports activities within the framework of the district’s student sports competitions for the 2024-2025 academic year. The sports included in these competitions are chess, rhythmic gymnastics, basketball, football, swimming, shuttlecock kicking, and cross-country running.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Tu Anh, Head of the Department of Education and Training in Hai Chau District, last year, the district successfully organised the Phu Dong Health Festival with nine sports, including table tennis, basketball, football, swimming, chess, badminton, shuttlecock kicking, rhythmic gymnastics, and cross-country running. This year, while the Phu Dong Health Festival is not being held, the district will still organise sports competitions for students. The primary school level will compete in five sports, while junior high schools will compete in six. Schools are already conducting lessons and training sessions in the sports to be included in the upcoming competitions, ensuring students are ready to compete when the tournaments begin.

Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training, Mr. Mai Tan Linh, acknowledged that the school sports movement has seen significant growth in recent years. The department encourages and facilitates schools in establishing sports clubs and offering a variety of sports. This academic year, the department will continue to collaborate with local authorities to organise city-level competitions, aiming to motivate students to maintain regular physical exercise.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by TRUC VY