Celebrating 30 years of Vietnam Paralympics: A journey to spread aspiration and belief

(Chinhphu.vn) - On the morning of September 22, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh attended and spoke at the ceremony celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Paralympic Committee.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh and delegates attend the ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Paralympic Committee - Photo: VGP/Giang Thanh

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister said that 30 years ago, on September 11, 1995, the Vietnam Disabled Sports Association - now the Vietnam Paralympic Committee, was officially established by the Prime Minister. From the early days with countless difficulties, lack of facilities, little known, but with high determination, dedication, the will of athletes, coaches and the support of the community, that movement has flourished, gradually grown strongly, spread to all localities across the country, becoming an important part of the country's physical education and sports career.

Paralympic sports not only bring glorious achievements in the international arena, but also act as a fire to warm faith, a solid support, foster will, arouse spiritual strength, and spread aspirations to millions of people.

The medals that athletes have won over the past 30 years, the records that have been set are not only the result of individual efforts, but also the crystallization of will and determination to overcome fate. They are a testament to the Vietnamese spirit: Talent, intelligence, resilience, daring to dream, with the determination to conquer and win.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh speaks at the ceremony - Photo: VGP/Giang Thanh

When the sacred red flag with yellow star flies brightly at the Paralympic, Asian Para Games or ASEAN Para Games arenas, with medals and records set by the Vietnamese people, it is not only a moment of glory for an individual, but also a pride for the whole nation. It is a message sent to friends around the world that: No matter the circumstances, Vietnamese people always strive, dare to assert themselves, dare to reach the peaks.

Not only stopping at the numbers of medals or records, the greatest value that para sports brings is the power of inspiration. The stories of overcoming difficulties, the journeys of self-affirmation of athletes have contributed to changing society's perspective on people with disabilities: from sympathy to respect, from skepticism to admiration. Para sports have proven that: Disability is not a barrier, but can become the starting point of extraordinary journeys.

" These are humane lessons that touch the hearts and encourage millions of people, both disabled and normal, to nurture their faith, determination and desire to live. They are an epic of will and determination, of intelligence, and of endless inspiration not only for the disabled community, but for the whole society," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, behind that success are the silent efforts of coaches, staff, volunteers and their families; and the responsible cooperation and companionship of businesses, socio-political organizations and international friends. All of these have created a movement rich in humanity, contributing to raising the country's position and promoting the image of a compassionate, resilient and aspirational Vietnam.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, the Deputy Prime Minister commended and expressed his deep respect to the Vietnam Paralympic Committee, to generations of leaders, officials, coaches and athletes who have devoted their hearts, strength and intelligence to the sports movement for people with disabilities over the past 30 years. The Deputy Prime Minister also sent his sincere thanks to international organizations, businesses and friends who have always accompanied and supported, because it is this sharing and cooperation that has contributed to lighting up dreams and opening the door to integration for people with disabilities in Vietnam.

Deputy Prime Minister emphasized a number of key orientations and tasks - Photo: VGP/Giang Thanh

In the context of the country steadily entering a new era – an era of strong, prosperous and happy development, with the aspiration to build a strong and prosperous Vietnam, sports for the disabled must be respected and invested in properly. This is not only a social movement, but also an important component in social security policy, in human development strategy and in the journey to realize national aspirations.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that Directive No. 39 of the Party Central Committee Secretariat on strengthening leadership over work for people with disabilities, Conclusion No. 70 of the Politburo on developing physical training and sports in the new period, the 2018 amended Law on Physical Training and Sports and the Strategy for developing physical training and sports in Vietnam to 2030, with a vision to 2045, have clearly affirmed that orientation. The remaining issue is that we must turn policies and guidelines into actions, with the close leadership and direction of Party committees and authorities at all levels, and the joint efforts of the whole society.

With the determination to bring Vietnamese sports for the disabled to make longer and stronger strides; the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized a number of key orientations and tasks:

Firstly, strengthen the leadership of the Party and State, and the synchronous coordination of all levels and sectors in effectively implementing policies, resolutions, and strategies for sports development, especially in connection with work for people with disabilities.

Second, perfecting mechanisms and policies to ensure equality, fairness and timeliness in treatment and rewards; at the same time, encouraging disabled athletes and coaches to devote themselves and feel secure in training and competing.

Third, invest more in infrastructure, training and competition equipment and human resources; build specialized training centers, support nutrition, sports biomedicine and careers for athletes after retirement.

Art program at the ceremony - Photo: VGP/Giang Thanh

Fourth, strengthen propaganda work, honor inspirational stories, and examples of overcoming difficulties, thereby encouraging the spirit of millions of people with disabilities to participate in sports, spreading the message of the desire to live, the desire to rise up and integrate into the community.

Fifth, promote socialization, actively mobilize social resources, encourage the participation of domestic and foreign enterprises, organizations and individuals. Build public-private partnership models, support funds for sports with disabilities, and strongly develop the movement from the grassroots to the national level.

Sixth, expand international cooperation, learn from other countries' experiences, and promote Vietnam's role and position in the regional and world Paralympic movement.

Over the past 30 years, Vietnamese sports for the disabled have truly become a beacon of hope and a torch of inspiration. for millions of people. But the journey ahead is still full of hardships and challenges. The Deputy Prime Minister believes that with the tradition, courage and aspiration that have been nurtured over three decades, together with the attention of the Party, the State and the support of the community, the Vietnamese Paralympic movement will continue to rise high, reach far, and shine brightly in the regional and international arena.

Each athlete, each coach, each staff member working in sports for the disabled is a brave warrior, a messenger of faith and hope. You compete not only for yourself, but also for the pride of the country, for the aspirations of the people. That is the strength for Vietnam to constantly move forward, to build a humane, fair and aspirational society.

Jiang Qing

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/ky-niem-30-nam-paralympic-viet-nam-hanh-trinh-lan-toa-khat-vong-va-niem-tin-10225092211114586.htm