A performance by Vovinam athletes of the provincial Sports Training and Competition Centre.

Stronger development

Although it appeared in the province about 10 years ago, Vovinam has witnessed a development trend, especially in education and training establishments. In such districts as Lang Giang, Luc Ngan, Yen Dung, Tan Yen, Yen The and Viet Yen, Vovinam clubs, groups and classes have been formed, attracting hundreds of disciples and thousands of students who practice during extracurricular activities. This is an important advantage for the sport sector to select outstanding faces for the province’s Vovinam team.

Several schools have put the martial art in extracurricular and exercise classes. Teacher Mai Dinh Nhuong, Vice Rector of the Yen Dung No.2 High School, said that: “Our school has maintained the Vovinam club for six years. Currently, 30 students are taking part in intensive practice. The martial art has been practiced during interlude physical exercise for two months, making students feel interested. Most of the students are interested in practicing and gaining good progress. Along with strengthening health, teachers also educate martial art morality and spirit for students”.

In 2010, the Ministry of Education and Training’s Pupil and Student Affairs Department sent a document asking provincial and municipal Departments of Education and Training to cooperate with the Vietnam Vovinam Federation to disseminate and put the martial art in extracurricular sport and physical training activities towards the establishment of Vovinam clubs at schools. Based on the guideline, Vovinam has attracted attention from localities in Bac Giang province.

In 2011, the first Vovinam class for talented students in Bac Giang was opened. At present, the class’s 20 members are participating in the provincial team and have gained certain achievements.

Numerous achievements

In the professional arena, Bac Giang’s Vovinam athletes have participated in four national competitions and achieved remarkable results this year. At the first national students Vovinam championships, Bac Giang athletes bagged three gold, two silver and three bronze medals, ranking eighth out of 24 participating delegations. The gold medals went to Phung Dinh Linh (high school, men’s 42kg combat event), Duong Thi Ngoc Nga (high school, women’s 45kg combat event) and Nguyen Van Quy (high school, men’s 71kg combat event).

At the National Strong Vovinam Clubs Championships, Bac Giang won two bronze medals. Its athletes also brought home two silver and one bronze medals from the National Junior Vovinam Championships held in Tien Giang province. These results have helped to inspire both athletes and instructors after their tireless efforts.

Coach Duong Van Du of the provincial Sports Training and Competition Centre said: “At present, the center is planning to support the development of Vovinam in Tan Yen district as the locality has the strongest Vovinam movement in the province. Compared with the previous years, the martial art attracts more attention from the center this year, by upgrading infrastructure, intensifying training, recruiting more experienced instructors, and participating in national tournaments, thus helping improve achievements. Therefore, the province’s sport sector expects that Vovinam continues achieving higher results in the national-level playing ground”.

In 2012, Vovinam officially became one of the sports in Phu Dong Sports Festival. It has been also an important sport at many national events. According to the provincial Department of Education and Training, at this year’s Phu Dong Sports Festival, Bac Giang has yet to list Vovinam in competition sports as it is not really popular in the locality. However, with its pervasion, Vovinam will soon be selected as one of the province’s competition sports at the National Phu Dong Sports Festival.

Nguyen Huong