Intrinsic needs
Every morning, while many are still asleep, the gymnasium of Phan Dinh Phung High School (Dong Hoi City) is filled with the sounds of aerobic music. There, more than 20 women from various communes and wards start their day with energetic and vigorous movements. They don't train for competition or to win prizes, nor do they need anyone to encourage or organize them; they simply exercise because they feel it's necessary for themselves.
This aerobics class has been held regularly for over a year now, with members of various ages. Some have suffered from bone and joint diseases, others have experienced stress from work and life. But since joining the sport , they have regained their flexibility, positive spirit, and above all, daily joy. Ms. Tran Thi Loan (born in 1964 in Nam Ly Ward, Dong Hoi City), the oldest member of the class, shared: “Before, I often had insomnia and was always tired. Since regularly doing aerobics, I sleep better and my health has clearly improved. Every morning, we meet, laugh together, exercise together, and my spirits are lifted.” From a spontaneous fitness class, they have now become a small community bound together by their proactive approach to healthy and positive living.
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Previously, physical exercise in Quang Binh was largely linked to short-term or seasonal emulation movements. However, there has been a significant shift. Physical exercise and sports have become a self-driven need and a daily habit for a large segment of the population. Sports are no longer viewed simply as competition or entertainment, but as a scientific method to improve health and prevent disease. Notably, the participants in sports are increasingly diverse, not only young people or workers, but also the elderly, retired officials, and housewives are actively seeking out sports. In many localities, sports clubs such as those for Tai Chi, walking, volleyball, yoga, and aerobics attract hundreds of participants each week.
Beyond mere formality, proactive participation is demonstrated through self-training, organizing small groups, contributing funds for equipment purchases, hiring coaches, and organizing exchanges and competitions. This shows that mass sports in Quang Binh have truly permeated daily life, becoming a widespread and effective movement. Along with the increase in the number of participants, sports facilities have also developed, with many sports facilities from the provincial to the commune level being invested in, meeting the training needs of the people. Currently, the province has approximately 70 sports training and competition halls, 166 swimming pools, over 3,290 outdoor sports training and competition fields, and nearly 3,530 sports facilities in use for sports activities throughout the province.
From the playground to the arena
Beyond simply promoting community health, the mass sports movement has also become a "nursery" for high-performance sports in the province.
Hoang Le Quynh Nhu is a prime example of a young athlete emerging from the grassroots sports movement in Quang Binh. Despite her young age, Quynh Nhu has made a significant mark with a series of impressive achievements: winning first place in the women's youth category at the provincial cross-country race for two consecutive years (2023-2024), and setting a national record in the women's 600m (age group born in 2010-2011) at the 2023 National Youth Athletics Championships. Originating from Ba Don town, where school sports are thriving, Quynh Nhu not only demonstrates athletic talent but also serves as a vivid testament to the effectiveness of investing in and organizing grassroots sports. She is a new hope for Quang Binh athletics, representing the perfect blend of personal passion and a well-organized and effective grassroots sports movement.
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It is evident that over the years, the amateur sports movement has been emphasized and developed. Traditional cross-country races, the Phu Dong Sports Festival, and other amateur sports competitions organized by the locality not only create beneficial playgrounds and improve community health, but also become places to "filter" and discover "precious gems" like Quynh Nhu. Statistics show that every year, Quang Binh organizes hundreds of amateur sports competitions with thousands of amateur athletes participating.
| The province currently has approximately 1,220 grassroots sports clubs and sports businesses, 1,250 sports collaborators, nearly 340,000 people participating in regular sports training, accounting for 36.7%, the rate of sports-oriented families reaches 29.3%, and the rate of officials, civil servants, employees, and workers participating in sports training reaches 79%... |
From these very arenas, the provincial sports sector has discovered many promising talents, not only in athletics but also in other disciplines such as swimming, martial arts, chess, and sports dance. It is encouraging that the mass sports movement in Quang Binh has not only developed in quantity but has also truly deepened, demonstrating continuity and widespread influence. Many localities have proactively built core forces, invested in facilities, and provided professional training for grassroots coaches – an important foundation for mass sports to become an effective "nursery" for high-performance sports.
According to Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Phu Son: The Department always focuses on innovating the way it organizes grassroots sports competitions, with an emphasis on transforming the organizational form through socialization and mobilizing participation from clubs. Thanks to this, the sports movement has made significant strides, contributing importantly to maintaining and improving the physical fitness of the people. In 2024 alone, the province organized over 720 competitions from the grassroots to the provincial level, achieving 111% of the annual plan; including 14 provincial-level competitions (6 organized independently, 8 co-organized), 60 district-level competitions, and over 640 commune-level competitions. Provincial athletes participated in 3 national sports competitions, winning 13 medals of all kinds, including 1 gold medal, 5 silver medals, and 7 bronze medals…
Undeniably, Quang Binh's sports scene is increasingly demonstrating its strong vitality, built upon a foundation of grassroots sports. It's not only a place for physical training and building a healthy lifestyle, but also a nurturing environment for developing and shining talents.
Peace of Mind
Source: https://baoquangbinh.vn/the-thao/202504/lan-toa-phong-trao-the-thao-quan-chung-2225802/
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