Ooc-Om-Boc Festival - Ngo Boat Racing: Training spirit, determination to keep the championship title

These days, on the Xa Lan canal, An Ninh commune (Can Tho city), the training atmosphere of the male and female Ngo boat teams of Tum Nup pagoda has become more bustling and exciting than ever. Two out of three Ngo boat teams of the pagoda (including 2 male teams and 1 female team) are the reigning champions of two consecutive seasons of the Ooc-Om-Boc Festival - Ngo boat racing in the region and are putting all their efforts into preparing for the new journey, with the determination to defend the championship title.

Determined to train for the Ooc-Om-Boc Festival - Ngo Boat Race in Can Tho City.

Every afternoon at 4 PM, hundreds of male and female athletes from the Tum Núp Pagoda Ngo boat team gather to warm up. The coach's whistle sounds, and every stretching, breathing, and arm movement is performed quickly and precisely. Afterward, the rowers get into their boats and begin their training amidst cheers and the rhythmic paddling of the oars, creating a vibrant scene that signals the approaching festival season.

Ms. Thach Thi Lien, an athlete on the women's Ngo boat team, shared: "All of us are excited because this year's competition is named after Can Tho City. I live in Tam Soc C1, My Tu commune, and every afternoon my husband drives me more than 10km to come here to train with the other women. Everyone is trying their best with the hope of maintaining the achievements of the Tum Nup Pagoda Ngo boat team."

The shouts and rhythmic pounding of oars echoed throughout the canal. Each oar stroke represented a resolute determination, blending with the unpredictable weather to create a vibrant picture of labor and training.

Coach Tran Thi My, who has been with the team for many years, said: “Up to this point, the Tum Nup Pagoda women's Ngo boat team has gathered more than 70 athletes who train every afternoon. After receiving the plan and regulations from the Organizing Committee, the whole team is determined to train seriously and strive their best to defend the championship title.”

Not only the female swimmers, but also the two men's Ngo boat teams of the pagoda are practicing diligently. Son Minh Khai, a male athlete, shared: “I’ve been with the team for 7 years now. Despite being busy with farm work and cutting grass for the cows, I always make sure to get back in time for practice every afternoon. Each practice session is a joy, a way to improve my health while also contributing to preserving the traditional sport of the Khmer people.”

For Khai, Ngo boat racing is not just a sport, but also a bond that connects the community, a source of pride for the Khmer people of An Ninh. He recounts that, whether it's sunny or rainy, even with sweat soaking their shirts, the athletes' spirits never waver. "We strive together, not only to achieve high results, but also to bring joy to the people and the Buddhist followers of Tum Nup Pagoda," he added.

During each training session, under the guidance of the coaching staff, the teams swim 2 to 4 laps, each lap over 4km, to build endurance and uniformity in each stroke.

According to Venerable Lam Hiep, Abbot of Tum Nup Pagoda, the pagoda has established a coaching staff and a logistics team, and has received active support from the government and philanthropists. Encouragingly, the athletes are in high spirits, united, and determined to achieve the best possible results at the upcoming Ooc-Om-Boc Festival - Can Tho City Ngo Boat Race.

All eyes are on the grand festival, where the two champion teams from Tum Núp Pagoda are determined to assert their prowess and pride on the traditional Ngo boat race, part of the Óoc-Om-Bóc festival of the Khmer people in Southern Vietnam.

Text and photos: THACH PICH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/le-hoi-ooc-om-boc-dua-ghe-ngo-khi-the-tap-luyen-quyet-tam-giu-ngoi-vo-dich-a192988.html