Promote the development of mass sports

Athletes compete in pickleball at the Son La Province Tennis - Pickleball Club Tournament.

From early morning or late afternoon after work, in all villages and streets, it is easy to see a large number of people from the elderly to middle-aged, young people, and children participating in sports training, such as walking, jogging, badminton, volleyball, pickleball, martial arts, street dancing... According to statistics from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the rate of population participating in regular sports training is 28.4%; 23.4% of households meet the "Sports Family" standard; 92% of schools implement physical education well; the whole province maintains over 500 effectively operating sports clubs.

Mr. Do The Cong, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: Mass sports in the province are increasingly developing extensively, richly and diversely, from modern to traditional ethnic sports. Up to now, the whole province has 37 gymnasiums; 18 swimming pools; more than 750 outdoor training grounds, including: 85 soccer fields, 200 volleyball courts, 250 badminton courts, more than 60 pickleball courts... Since the beginning of the year, the province has organized 5 provincial-level sports tournaments, attracting a large number of people to participate.

At the grassroots level, the sports movement is associated with holidays, New Year, cultural and sports festivals, creating a vibrant atmosphere and connecting the community. Mr. Giang Minh Canh, Chairman of Thuan Chau Runners Club, Thuan Chau Commune, shared: The club has 75 members, of different ages, practicing regularly, contributing to the increasingly developing movement in the locality. Recently, Thuan Chau Commune organized a running and mountain climbing competition, the club members participated and responded enthusiastically.

Badminton club members practice after work.

Among the new sports, pickleball has emerged with special appeal. Mr. Nguyen Tri Viet, Head of Competition Organization Department, Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center, said: Although it developed later than other sports, pickleball has been attractive and spread quickly in communes and wards, and has been welcomed by many people of all ages. Due to the high demand for practicing this sport, the number of training grounds has also increased rapidly; clubs have been continuously established and regularly organize competitions and exchanges to encourage each person to actively practice.

Shuffle dance is also one of the new subjects, attracting a large number of people to practice. Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thuy, group 3, Quyet Thang, To Hieu ward, said: I used to practice yoga, since the shuffle dance subject appeared, I participate and practice every day, immersing myself in the vibrant dance music, making my spirit excited, my health improved.

The movement of physical training and sports has also spread widely in schools. Every year, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has coordinated with the Department of Education and Training to organize sports competitions for students. In the 2024-2025 school year, 100% of general education institutions in the province will implement physical education programs; 95% of schools will organize extracurricular sports activities; 98% of students will be tested and assessed for physical fitness. Through student sports competitions, many young sports talents will be discovered, nurtured and added to the provincial teams.

Jogging and climbing attract a large number of people to participate.

In addition, sports activities are also promoted in agencies and units to improve the health of cadres, civil servants, public employees, workers and soldiers of the armed forces. The rate of cadres, civil servants and workers exercising regularly is over 55%; 98% of police officers and 97% of soldiers meet the standard of "healthy soldiers".

Mass sports and physical education also contribute to creating a solid foundation for high-performance sports. In 2024, Son La participated in 8 national mass sports competitions in pole pushing, tug of war, crossbow shooting, badminton, table tennis, and volleyball and won 12 gold medals, 4 silver medals, and 21 bronze medals.

The mass sports movement in Son La has become a regular and sustainable activity, contributing to building a civilized life and strengthening the great national unity bloc. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to promote the Campaign "All people exercise following the example of great Uncle Ho", develop models of sports clubs and families, and create a source of quality athletes for high-performance sports.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/the-thao/day-manh-phat-trien-the-thao-quan-chung-hBPQpOuHR.html