Alongside specialised training, high-performance sports in Da Nang emphasise nutrition to ensure athletes have optimal health and strength, enhancing their performance and laying a foundation for sustainable development.

Nutrition is key to athletes’ efforts in training and achieving top results in competitions. Photo: P.N

In recent years, Da Nang's athletics team has made significant progress in national competitions, with events like walking, running, hammer throw, pole vault, and the decathlon earning numerous medals for the city. At the 2024 National Youth Athletics Championships, Da Nang's team secured 4 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals, ranking second overall. According to the coaching staff, ensuring athletes' nutrition is crucial for their endurance and stamina. Besides daily nutritional requirements, athletes are provided with supplements during training and competitions to ensure peak condition.

Sports like weightlifting, bodybuilding, and boxing also require a high level of physical fitness. Therefore, ensuring daily nutrition is essential for these athletes' success.

Athletes at the Da Nang Centre for Athlete Training and Development are provided accommodation and meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and additional meals during competitions. Boxer Dinh Cong Minh from the Da Nang boxing team shared: "After training, I eat with my teammates at the canteen. The meals are tasty, varied, and nutritious, helping me maintain the energy needed for intense training and recover quickly. This motivates me to train hard and contribute to the city's sports achievements."

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet, who manages the athletes' meals at the centre, the menu is carefully designed to ensure the athletes receive optimal nutrition. Each meal is calculated according to sports medicine standards, with a diverse daily menu. Alongside main dishes like tenderloin beef, lean pork, fish, and chicken, desserts such as fruit and yoghurt are also included.

Currently, nearly 700 athletes are training and competing in 34 different sports in Da Nang. The athletes receive nutritional allowances as stipulated by the city’s Resolution No. 38/2022/NQ-HĐND. Specifically, athletes in the city’s main team receive VND 240,000 per day; youth team members receive VND 200,000; and the talented team receive VND 170,000. This allowance is on par with other provinces and cities nationwide.

According to Mr Tran Do Quang, the Deputy Director of the Da Nang Centre for Athlete Training and Development, providing proper nutrition for athletes is a top priority. Supplements are selected based on scientific research, tailored to each team and athlete to ensure they have the best endurance and strength for training and competition.

As Da Nang prepares its athletes for major events like the 10^th National Sports Festival in 2026, the 33^rd SEA Games in 2025, and various national and international competitions, ensuring effective nutrition for both athletes and coaches remains crucial. This is fundamental to enhancing training quality and maintaining Da Nang’s leading position in national sports while achieving greater success internationally.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by TRUC VY