The touching story behind the noble act of donating the Gold medal for charity by Coach Truong Minh Sang

TPO - After learning about the purpose of the JEEP Pickleball Tournament by Tien Phong Newspaper - For children with difficult circumstances, to raise funds to support the young patients of the National Children's Hospital, Coach of the Vietnamese Gymnastics Team Truong Minh Sang generously gave the Organizing Committee the SEA Games Gold medal that he treasured to auction for charity.

"This is not the first medal I have won, but it is the most precious to me, and more meaningful than any other medal. It is the result of a long journey of hard work, containing sweat, tears, the spirit of not giving up and the desire to rise of me and my teammates in the Vietnam Gymnastics team," Coach of the Vietnam Gymnastics men's team Truong Minh Sang told a reporter from Tien Phong newspaper .

According to coach Truong Minh Sang, who won all three medals at the SEA Games (Bronze medal 2001, Silver medal 2003 and Gold medal 2005 all in individual events) when he was an athlete, the Vietnamese gymnastics team previously only participated in individual events at the Southeast Asian Games .

Coach Truong Minh Sang recalled: "One day, sitting with my teammates, I said that we had achieved many individual achievements, why not set a goal of winning a team medal? Like in 2003 when the SEA Games was held at home, I always regretted that we did not participate in the team event.

Truong Minh Sang and the Vietnamese Gymnastics Team athletes at the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia after winning the team gold medal.

The brothers all agreed with this sharing, then all determined to compete with other countries in this content in the next SEA Games. We outlined a detailed plan to overcome weaknesses, promote strengths, and practice more to participate in all contents, ensuring each content has enough 4-5 people. All members of the team held hands, practiced together, supported and motivated each other."

At the 2005 SEA Games in the Philippines, in their first participation in the team event of Gymnastics, the Vietnamese team won the Bronze medal. This was the motivation for Truong Minh Sang, Pham Phuoc Hung, Nguyen Ha Thanh... to continue to try and strive to change the color of the medals in the following games, so that the team could take another step forward at the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand with the Silver medal.

"Coming to the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia, I determined that this would be my last tournament, so I was determined to win Gold at all costs. Finally, my efforts were rewarded. My dream of winning a Gold medal as a teammate and my teammates came true. It also completed my 10-year journey at the SEA Games, starting with the Bronze medal in 2001," said the person who retired at the age of 29 and became the youngest coach of the Gymnastics Team.

The 2011 SEA Games Gold Medal with Coach Truong Minh Sang's signature dedicated to the Organizing Committee of the JEEP Pickleball Tournament by Tien Phong Newspaper - For disadvantaged children to raise funds to support disadvantaged child patients at the National Children's Hospital.

So why did Coach Truong Minh Sang decide to give the Organizing Committee of the JEEP Pickleball Tournament by Tien Phong Newspaper - For disadvantaged children this priceless Gold medal? He emotionally confided: "Having played pickleball for over a year, I regret not being able to participate in the tournament after receiving the invitation, due to my schedule with the team. I was very impressed with the noble purpose of the tournament, to help and share with disadvantaged children at the National Children's Hospital.

I myself also came from poverty, had to earn a living on the streets since I was a child, then with support I entered a school for children with special circumstances, was able to study and became involved in sports. To have today, besides my own efforts, I also received help from many people. So through the tournament I want to send a little bit of my heart to the children, hoping that they can overcome their illness and move forward in life. For me, this is not only financially meaningful, but also inspires them to fight and defeat adversity."

Coach Truong Minh Sang and his wife Nguyen Thu Ha on the pickleball court.

The JEEP Pickleball Tournament by Tien Phong Newspaper - For disadvantaged children was held on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of Vietnam Entrepreneurs' Day (October 13, 2004 - October 13, 2025), creating a healthy playground, enhancing exchanges between businessmen and the public, and having a noble meaning, raising funds to support disadvantaged children at the National Children's Hospital.

In the first year of organization, the tournament took place on October 18 at HappyLand Pickleball Complex - 139 Dam Quang Trung, Long Bien, Hanoi , expected to attract about 200 athletes, businessmen as well as pickleball lovers from home and abroad.

The 2011 SEA Games Gold Medal with the signature of Coach Truong Minh Sang will be auctioned. All proceeds will be sent to disadvantaged children at the National Children's Hospital. The starting price is 10 million VND. Donors can bid in three ways: via the Tien Phong Pickleball fanpage, directly at the stadium on October 18 or via the Organizing Committee's Zalo (0903.226.806/0975.330.918). The auction starts from today until 2:00 p.m. on October 18. The results will be announced at the JEEP Pickleball Tournament Award Ceremony by Tien Phong Newspaper - For disadvantaged children .

Source: https://tienphong.vn/cau-chuyen-xuc-dong-dang-sau-nghi-cu-cao-dep-tang-tam-huy-chuong-vang-lam-thien-nguyen-cua-hlv-truong-minh-sang-post1785913.tpo