Businessman, President of the World Vovinam Federation Mai Huu Tin: The strength of sports culture is linked to economic strength

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Born in 1969 in Binh Duong, businessman Mai Huu Tin is famous in the business world for his successful reconstruction of businesses on the brink of bankruptcy such as Toan My Water Tank, Saigon Paper, and Truong Thanh Wood. From 2017 to present, Mr. Mai Huu Tin, with his love and passion for Vovinam, has also made a big mark in his role as President of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation and President of the World Vovinam Federation.

Having just returned home from a business trip to Africa, businessman Mai Huu Tin shared openly and passionately with Thanh Nien with the hope of contributing to inspiring young people with a passion for business and those who love Vietnamese martial arts - Vovinam.

Having just had a business trip to Africa, witnessing the explosive development of Vovinam - Vietnamese martial arts in countries in this region, could you please share your impressions from the trip? Can the Vovinam development model in Africa be applied to other regions?

Vovinam has been present in Africa since 1977 and we are preparing for the 50th anniversary. From Ivory Coast, Vovinam is now present in 24/54 countries on the continent. The strongest is Algeria, where there are more than 30,000 practitioners practicing regularly and capable of competing for medals at the highest level tournaments. Senegal, Burkina Faso… have just celebrated the 40th anniversary of Vovinam, but there are also many countries that have only started in recent years such as Nigeria or are still starting out like South Africa.

The economies of many African countries are at the same level of development as Vietnam was a few decades ago. The lack of material resources makes Vovinam a valuable playground for young people, because they can develop their Body, Mind and Spirit comprehensively with minimal cost. That is also the difference between Vovinam and other major martial arts in the world: comprehensive, not just in terms of fighting techniques. But to develop sustainably, Vovinam cannot rely solely on the generosity or sacrifice of a few individuals or dedicated martial artists. We are considering investing in economic projects in Africa to create a source of long-term growth. This is true not only in Africa but everywhere in the world. The strength of sports culture goes hand in hand with economic strength.

World Vovinam Federation President Mai Huu Tin with "child" Vovinam students in Africa

Many people still mention your two big wishes, which are also the goals of Vietnamese Vovinam: opening a global Vovinam Academy in Ho Chi Minh City and making Vovinam a competition in the ASIAD and Olympic systems. What is the specific roadmap for these two goals, sir?

We are still pursuing the Global Vovinam Academy project with the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City as determined from the beginning, in the city's general project at Phu Tho Stadium. This place is associated with Vovinam for many reasons, so it is still a priority location. We still have backup plans, but the problem is not just physical facilities. At the same time, we have been preparing other necessary conditions, which are actually more important in terms of operating personnel, in terms of meeting the conditions of a high-leveleducational institution. The ultimate goal is not just a simple martial arts academy, but also a place to train leaders with Vietnamese character and identity but capable of operating anywhere in the world.

Businessman Mai Huu Tin was welcomed when he came to Nigeria to train in Vovinam.

VFF

The 2023 World Vovinam Federation Congress has adjusted the entire operating process according to the regulations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). We are also doing many other things to meet the requirements of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) for members. These are the basic conditions to help us qualify to participate in other major playgrounds in Asia and the world. I would also like to explain that recently Thailand used this (vovinam is not yet a member of WADA) to not include vovinam in the competition content in the 33rd SEA Games in December this year.

We are still learning as we go, as we have no previous experience in running a sports federation at a global level. Fortunately, Vovinam now has a strong and committed human resource base operating in Asia, Europe and Africa. I am confident in this team for the future.

After 8 years of participating in the leadership role of the Vietnam Vovinam Federation and the World Vovinam Federation, can you share your joy and concerns with the sport that has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2023?

Vovinam is becoming more and more known both domestically and internationally, being accepted, studied and practiced in 73 countries in all 5 continents around the world, with millions of students. But of course we can go faster and stronger if we have more support and encouragement. Vovinam is the common heritage of all Vietnamese people. Our goal is to surpass the milestone of 100 countries accessing Vovinam in the next 10 years.

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As someone who is extremely busy with business but still arranges time, even spends a lot of time on Vovinam, you must have a special affection for this sport?

In addition to my responsibility as the main executive of the World Vovinam Federation, I have personally been a Vovinam student for over 40 years. Therefore, it is natural to have a special affection for Vovinam. My maternal family, including my grandparents, uncles and mother, are all disciples of Tan Khanh Ba Tra, a branch of Tay Son Binh Dinh, so I was exposed to traditional Vietnamese martial arts at the same time I learned to walk.

In grade 10 (in 1984), my friends invited me to learn Vovinam - Vietnamese martial arts. That group of friends were all successful and last year they gathered people from both inside and outside the country to celebrate the 40th anniversary. Vovinam clearly played a very important role in our lives. An interesting detail is that my first Vovinam teacher, Master Doan Van Vien in Binh Duong, is probably the only teacher whose students are presidents of Vovinam federations at all levels, including President of Binh Duong Vovinam Federation, President of Ho Chi Minh City Vovinam Federation, President of Vietnam Vovinam Federation and President of the World Vovinam Federation, which is me.

At the age of 56, businessman Mai Huu Tin still continues to study to stand firm in the business world.

It is known that at the age of 56, you still regularly go to school. Could you please share a little about your studies and the story of studying more, studying forever…?

Learning should be a daily thing because if you stop, you will be left behind immediately. MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA) has determined that after 2 years of graduation, 50% of knowledge is outdated. Learning is not only to keep yourself from falling behind but also to be happy. Therefore, I gradually followed from undergraduate level in Vietnam to master's degree in Belgium, doctorate in the US and updated continuously. There are classes that I have to go to in person to study, like at HBS (Harvard Business School, USA). But there are many other classes that I still study online every day, right from my home. And not only me, other business friends around me are doing the same. That learning is useful not only for me but also for my colleagues in the company and for everyone. If we see something good that should be popularized or updated, we are willing to share it with the community.

As you shared, you work more than 10 hours a day, have a busy schedule of business trips and studies, so where do you find time for your family, relatives and friends?

Your priorities change as you age and as your workload increases. You get to know more people, but the number of people you actually interact with should decrease so you can focus on creating value.

I am fortunate to have a family who understands and trusts me. I am fortunate to have many partners I can fully trust. When you focus on the value and impact you can create, you have to let go of other things that are less valuable or less impactful. That's it. Balance is not a destination. If you feel good physically and mentally, you are balanced.

With the positivity of businessman Mai Huu Tin, Vovinam develops strongly globally.

VFF

How is being a business leader different from being a Vovinam Federation leader in terms of management and values? Do you have a roadmap for retirement and "enjoying the countryside" with your family?

Being a business leader or a leader of a professional social organization like the Vovinam Federation is similar in that if you don’t put your heart into it, you won’t succeed. But there is a big difference in the depth and the movement. Sitting on the sidewalk with barefoot Vovinam students in Africa amidst the chaos of guns and bullets is different from meetings in factories or in safe, closed rooms in developed cities.

There will be no retirement. I will gradually step back to give the younger generations a chance to assert themselves. But as long as I am useful, I will continue to work.

If you had a message for Vovinam students around the world and for young people with a passion for business, what would you say?

I hope there will be more people who have both of these passions: knowing how to develop themselves comprehensively to create a lot of value.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/businessman-chu-tich-lien-doan-vovinam-the-gioi-mai-huu-tin-suc-manh-van-hoa-the-thao-gan-lien-voi-suc-manh-kinh-te-185250524221118129.htm