Humanitarian policy for elite sports

VHO - Concerns about the future of high-performance athletes' careers after retirement will be somewhat relieved when the Draft Decree replacing Decree 152/2018/ND-CP is approved and issued.

Deputy Minister Hoang Dao Cuong chaired the Conference

Accordingly, in addition to salary, bonus, insurance and nutrition, athletes will be given priority in cultural training, vocational training and job placement.

This is a notable highlight in the Conference to collect expert opinions on the draft Decree replacing Decree 152/2018/ND-CP on the morning of August 7 in Hanoi, chaired by Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong, with the participation of representatives of many relevant ministries, branches and experts.

For coaches, athletes, and medical staff directly participating in training and competition in national, industry, and local teams.

In addition to ensuring the rights of those receiving salaries from the state budget, the new document also expands the scope of application to individuals who do not receive salaries from the state budget, such as young and talented athletes from localities.

Deputy Director of the Department of Physical Training and Sports Nguyen Hong Minh presented the draft content.

In particular, the medical staff – including doctors and technicians accompanying the team – are also included in the scope of regulation. This is a valuable recognition of the important but silent role of the professional support force, who work under pressure and low income.

In addition to familiar contents such as salary, nutrition, and performance-based rewards, this draft emphasizes long-term care for athletes - a group of people who are likely to fall into unemployment after retirement.

According to the draft, athletes and coaches of national sports teams who have graduated from high school and have been confirmed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to have completed their tasks of participating in the Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cups, ASIADs, Asian Championships, Asian Cups, SEA Games, Southeast Asian Championships, and Southeast Asian Cups will enjoy incentives.

Specifically as follows: Direct admission to physical education and sports majors or physical education majors of universities and colleges; Assignment to participate in coach training courses, participate in training, and advanced training in professional qualifications domestically and abroad; Have the management agency or the employing agency pay for training costs, advanced training in professional qualifications or have tuition fees exempted or reduced, and study cost support according to the provisions of law.

The workshop was held on the morning of August 7 at the Department of Physical Education and Sports.

Regarding post-retirement solutions, Article 11 of the draft clearly stipulates: Athletes who stop competing, if in need and eligible, will be supported with vocational training and job placement according to Decree 61/2015/ND-CP on job creation support policies and the National Employment Fund.

Commenting on the draft, the representative of the Ministry of Education and Training, Mr. Tran Van Lam - Deputy Director of the Department of Students - highly appreciated the humane provisions, and proposed to supplement the recruitment of athletes who won medals at the Olympics and ASIAD in the form of accepting teachers if they meet the required training qualifications, diplomas and certificates.

The decree, when issued, will help athletes compete and contribute with peace of mind.

The inclusion of specific, long-term regulations in the decree shows the sports industry's efforts to provide comprehensive care for athletes - from the time they compete until they retire.

In the context of Vietnamese sports increasingly integrating deeply with the international community, this policy not only motivates young talents but also contributes to retaining high-quality human resources in the high-performance sports system.

The draft new Decree is in the process of receiving comments from ministries and branches before being submitted to competent authorities for approval. When officially issued, this will be an important step forward in improving the material and spiritual life of athletes, while contributing to the realization of the Vietnam Sports Development Strategy to 2030, vision 2045.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/chinh-sach-nhan-van-cho-the-thao-dinh-cao-159336.html