The physical exercise and sports movement among the middle-aged and the elderly has spread widely throughout Da Nang as many sports clubs have been established and operating actively and effectively.

In recent years, many sports tournaments have been regularly organised in the city, aimed at contributing to enriching the spiritual life and improving the health of the middle-aged and the elderly.

A performance at the 2024 Da Nang Open Qi Gong Tournament. Photo: P.N

Health improvement

Qi Gong is one of the popular sports among the middle-aged and the elderly. This kind of sports helps participants strengthen their physical strength, control their breathing, maintain flexibility as well as create a refreshing and happy spirit.

Mr. Nguyen Ba Luong, residing in Hoa Hiep Bac Ward, Lien Chieu District, said that after retirement, he have been practicing Qi Gong for more than 10 years from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm daily.

He informed that Qi Gong involves whole-body movement, mind focus, and deep breathing that opens body energy pathways, promotes smooth energy flow and restores organ harmony. “I will maintain the habit of practicing this sport to improve my health and prevent diseases" he added.

In addition to Qi Gong, such popular sports as badminton, table tennis, volleyball, chess, and dance sport are chosen by middle-aged and elderly people. To meet the needs of athletes, many clubs have been established and are operating actively.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bac, a member of the Nguyen Ngoc Thach Table Tennis Club, is 70 years old but still maintains her agility and dexterity thanks to regular practice and competition in table tennis.

"I am passionate about many sports, but after retiring, I chose to practice table tennis. Every day, from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm, I practice and compete with members of the Nguyen Ngoc Thach Club. Aside from physical training, the club is a place for members to meet, exchange and share joy every day, Ms. Bac shared.

According to statistics, there are more than 300 sports clubs for middle-aged and elderly people in the city. Cultural and sports facilities are also invested in by units, localities and the city, creating favorable conditions for middle-aged and elderly people to enjoy sports.

According to Deputy Director of the Thanh Khe District Culture and Sports Centre Nguyen Duy Dong, every day, the centre attracts thousands of people coming to practice and play sports, including many middle-aged and elderly people. At the centre, middle-aged and elderly people can freely jog, and dance sport in the campus.

Many meaningful playgrounds

To attract middle-aged and elderly people to participate in sports and improve their quality of life, relevant units, localities and the city organise many tournaments.

Recently, the Thanh Khe District Culture and Sports Centre has organised the Sports Festival for the Middle-aged and Elderly in 2024, with the participation of 250 athletes from wards in the district.

On October 23 and 24, the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports hosted the municipal-level Qi Gong Tournament in 2024. This year’s tournament had nearly 500 athletes from 27 Qi Gong clubs in the city and the provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Tri and Binh Dinh participating.

According to Mr. Pham Quy, Chairman of the city’s Elderly Association, sports tournaments are a meaningful playground for elderly athletes to meet and exchange, creating motivation to maintain the habit of regular physical activity.

Meanwhile, Director of the Da Nang Sports and Physical Training Centre Tran Cong Tu acknowledged that the sports movement among middle-aged and elderly people in the city is developing strongly, attracting a large number of participants. Many clubs have invested in human resources and facilities, meeting the needs of exchange and health improvement.

To promote the development of the movement, the centre usually organises large-scale sports tournaments with a variety of competitions for middle-aged and elderly people. Through the tournaments, the organising boards select outstanding athletes to participate in national sports competitions for middle-aged and elderly people.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG