Unexpected joy for Vietnamese athletes

Vietnamese coaches and athletes were quite surprised and happy when the sports industry proposed increasing the benefits for coaches and athletes during their training and competition periods.

GREAT MOTIVATION TO CONTINUE TO DEVOTE

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is assigning the Vietnam Sports Administration to preside over the development and completion, based on the consultation of ministries, departments and branches, of a draft decree to replace Decree 152 "stipulating a number of regimes for sports coaches and athletes during training and competition periods", in which, notably, there is a proposal to increase the salary and bonus regime for coaches and athletes from 2 to 10 times.

The bonus for Olympic gold medals is proposed to increase from 350 million VND (stipulated in Decree 152) to 3.5 billion VND, Olympic silver medals from 220 million VND to 1.75 billion VND, and Olympic bronze medals from 140 million VND to 875 million VND. At the ASIAD, the bonus for gold medals is proposed to increase from 140 million VND to 700 million VND, silver medals from 85 million VND to 350 million VND, and bronze medals from 55 million VND to 175 million VND. At the SEA Games, the increase, although slight, is still around 30% for each medal, for example, the gold medal is proposed to increase from 45 million VND to 60 million VND.

The allowance for athletes and coaches during the time of training for the national team or national youth team has also been doubled, to 13-16 million VND/month. In particular, athletes who win Olympic medals receive a subsidy of 40 million VND/month, and athletes who win ASIAD gold medals receive 20 million VND/month. The subsidy period is 4 years from the time of achievement at the Games to the next Games.

Archer Thanh Nhi (Vietnam archery team) hopes that athletes and coaches will receive a satisfactory income increase for their contributions and dedication.

PHOTO: NVCC

Archer Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhi, a member of the Vietnamese archery team participating in the 19th ASIAD and the 32nd SEA Games (2023), shared: "I am very excited to hear that the sports industry is drafting a proposal to increase remuneration for athletes and coaches. Athletes and coaches are working hard to practice every day to bring glory to the country. If the Party, State, Government , and relevant ministries and branches take more care and attention, athletes will have more motivation, will and determination. This is a good sign for the Vietnamese sports industry."

Coach Truong Minh Sang of the Vietnam Gymnastics team said that the sports industry's proposal to increase salaries and bonuses brings joy to coaches and athletes to continue to strive and make more efforts.

ENSURING ATHLETE'S RIGHTS

In addition to "giving fish", that is, increasing salaries and bonuses, the draft decree replacing Decree 152 also provides "fishing rods" for athletes, when proposing to strengthen vocational skills training, create conditions for studying, improving knowledge, and finding output so that athletes can rest assured of having stable jobs after retirement. Specifically, the draft stipulates that athletes who win medals at the Olympics and ASIAD are recruited in the form of receiving teachers, are appointed to the title of teacher or lecturer, and are paid, enjoy the regimes and policies according to regulations for the job position.

At the same time, athletes are accepted as civil servants if they meet the conditions for registration and requirements of the job position, or are given priority points in recruiting workers at sports facilities when they have sufficient qualifications and professional capacity suitable for the requirements of the job position; during the probationary period, they are entitled to 100% of the salary and allowances of the professional title corresponding to the job position.

Coach Nguyen Thi Nhung (middle) and Olympic champion Hoang Xuan Vinh (right)

PHOTO: NVCC

Former coach of the Vietnamese shooting team Nguyen Thi Nhung affirmed that support from the sports industry will help athletes have a better foundation. The coach of Olympic champion Hoang Xuan Vinh said: "Vietnamese athletes are at a disadvantage after retiring, because they no longer have a source of income from their main profession and cannot find a job. Only a few athletes with achievements and reputations become coaches, sports managers or cooperate with business brands. Regardless of their position, most athletes still do not have a guaranteed income to confidently devote themselves. I think that in the draft decree, the sports industry needs to promote career guidance with vocational schools, colleges and universities so that athletes can develop their abilities and find new directions."

Also according to former General Secretary of the Vietnam Shooting Federation Nguyen Thi Nhung: "Skill training should be organized in more depth, instead of just stopping at general orientation seminars. For athletes who want to pursue a career as a coach or teach sports (become a physical education teacher), it is necessary to create conditions for them to study and get a degree at universities specializing in physical education and sports, and to be able to participate in good classes, outside of training hours. There should be special incentives for athletes and talents to soon train them to become professional coaches. Hopefully, the new decree will further affirm the role of the sports industry in supporting the shaping of athletes' future after retirement. Only then will families feel secure in letting their children pursue a career in sports."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/niem-vui-bat-ngo-danh-cho-vdv-viet-nam-185250811212944714.htm