The attraction of performing arts and sports in Phan Thanh commune

The cultural, artistic, and sports movements in Phan Thanh commune (Bac Binh district) are developing, creating a widespread impact and attracting a large number of people to participate, contributing to improving physical fitness and health.

Indoor badminton court in Phan Thanh commune.

Every morning and afternoon, the atmosphere at the Phan Thanh Commune Cultural Center (located in Thanh Kiet village) becomes lively with various sports and physical activities. People of all ages, men and women, gather to practice sports suitable for them. This is a rather unfamiliar sight compared to a year ago.

Mr. Than Dinh Quang, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phan Thanh commune, said: Although the economic life is still difficult, recently, cultural, artistic, and sports activities in the commune have attracted a large number of people to participate in training, especially volleyball, badminton, and football. The playgrounds utilize vacant land, rice fields after harvest, schoolyards, and artificial turf fields. In particular, since December 2023, when the commune received attention and support to build a cultural and sports facility in Thanh Kiet village, not only people from the commune but also from neighboring villages in Hong Thai commune have come to train. The facility includes a badminton court with a roof, a volleyball court, and 10 sets of outdoor sports training equipment with leg exercises, bench press, arm pull-ups, pull-ups, parallel bars, single back and abdominal exercise equipment, waist rotation equipment, and air walking equipment. The construction investment capital was nearly 1 billion VND, of which Military Region 7 contributed 500 million VND, and the remaining capital was provided by the Bac Binh district budget.

The arts and culture movement flourished throughout the villages.

Regularly participating in training at the new playground, Mr. Xich Ngoc Van happily shared: "Previously, there was no badminton court, so if we wanted to practice, I and the members of the badminton club had to go to the Phan Thanh Secondary School's court. But now that we have a new court, everyone flocks here every day at 5 pm. Since playing sports, I feel healthier, more cheerful, and have the energy to work better."

Building community playgrounds not only helps improve health but also promotes the positive cultural values of ethnic minorities and enhances their spiritual lives. From the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021-2025, in 2022 and 2023, Phan Thanh commune received support for repairing the Mai Lanh village cultural house; purchasing equipment for meetings, playgrounds, and sound systems for Canh Dien and Chau Hanh villages; and cultural equipment for Thanh Kiet village. Currently, the percentage of people in the commune participating in regular sports activities is about 40% of the total population of over 2,000 households; the number of households achieving the "cultural family" status is over 90%. For a locality with a large ethnic minority population and limited playground facilities, this is an encouraging result.

Mr. Than Dinh Quang shared: The commune government and mass organizations have directed the integration of physical education and sports movements with the "All people unite to build a cultured life in residential areas" campaign and the "All people practice physical training following the example of the great President Ho Chi Minh" movement. This includes a badminton club that has been maintained for 10 years, and football, volleyball, chess, and performing arts groups in all 7 villages. During holidays and festivals, the commune People's Committee and the village management boards organize cultural nights and sports competitions. This is an opportunity for young and old, men and women, to compete, improve their health, stamina, endurance, dexterity, and agility. These competitions serve as a basis for the commune to select outstanding athletes to participate in sports and cultural events organized by the district...

However, to create more favorable conditions for people to practice and expand the playing field, Phan Thanh commune has also requested the cultural department and the district to support the repair of the commune's football field, which is currently sinking and deteriorating. Having an additional playing field will create an environment for connection, interaction, and building a healthy society, contributing to the achievement of the local socio-economic development goals.

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