The initiative is implemented within the framework of a three-year technical cooperation agreement between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), aiming to promote the role of community sports and activities. physical fitness in building a healthier and more active society.
The initiative aims to improve community health by encouraging people to increase participation in community sports activities, training professional staff in the fields of sports and health, and strengthening capacity. for organizations and agencies, and carry out behavior change communication campaigns to build physical exercise habits, help improve quality of life and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases.
Delegates pressed the project start button
The kick-off workshop was chaired by Mr. Bui Dinh Long, Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee. This shows the determination of the provincial leaders in promoting sports activities for community health.
The workshop was attended by representatives of WHO, the Vietnam Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Training. Leaders and specialized officials of Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee, Department of Health, Department of Education and Training, Department of Culture and Sports of Nghe An Province, representatives of Vinh City People’s Committee and Dien Chau district, along with teachers and Students from the 10 pilot schools implementing the project, as well as the PATH organization, were present at this important event.
Mr. Bui Dinh Long – Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee, attended the seminar
The alarming situation of lack of exercise
According to the 2024 WHO report, the global rate of physical inactivity remains at an alarming level, with 31% of adults not participating in enough physical activity, equivalent to 1.8 billion people in the world. . WHO predicts that if this trend continues, this rate could increase to 35% by 2030, more specifically 38% in women and 32% in men.
Vietnam is also witnessing an equally worrying situation. Statistics from a recent survey show that about 25% of adults in Vietnam do not participate in enough exercise.
Sedentary status is even more evident among adolescents around the world and in Vietnam. Worldwide, 81% of adolescents aged 11 to 17 do not get enough exercise. In Vietnam alone, only 1 in 4 teenagers from 13 to 17 years old reach their goal of being active for at least one hour a day. This trend not only seriously threatens personal health but also increases pressure on the health system, while increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Vovinam performance by students of Nghe An province
“These alarming numbers, especially among adolescents, demonstrate the urgency of effective collaboration and strategic investment in policies that promote safe, regular physical activity.” and interesting for this group,” said Dr. Angela Pratt, WHO representative in Vietnam. “Although there are many challenges, this is also a driving force for action. We welcome this initiative, calling for calls for stronger collaboration between stakeholders and commitment to technical support techniques to ensure the success and effectiveness of the project”.
Join forces to create change
The initiative “Sports Cooperation for Community Health” is being implemented in 5 countries around the world.
Emphasizing the importance of the project, Mr. Alejandro Calvente, Manager of Olympism365 – representative from the IOC, said: “Vietnam will become a typical example in implementing this initiative. The project is expected to provide practical experience on how to combine sports and health to scale up and maintain community-based sports and physical activity programs, contributing to achieving global goals. The demand is to reduce physical inactivity by 15% by 2030. Pilot activities will be implemented, providing the necessary empirical data, effective practices and lessons learned to scale up the initiative This. The project builds on the IOC’s Olympism365 Strategy and the WHO’s Global Physical Activity Action Plan 2018–2030 (GAPPA), and is also implemented in Nepal, Tanzania, Ghana and Peru.
In Vietnam, the project will initially be implemented in Nghe An province, aiming to contribute to reducing physical inactivity and increasing participation in community sports programs, thereby improving physical and mental health of people in the community.
PATH will pioneer in implementing this initiative, starting with pilot programs at 10 key schools in Nghe An. Accordingly, PATH will organize community programs and events to raise awareness about the benefits of physical activity. At the same time, building on the successes of previous projects, PATH will apply innovative methods to promote active community participation.
Ms. Le Thi Thu Hien – Director of PATH Primary Health Care Program
With the support of the Department of Sports and Sports and the Vietnam Olympic Committee, the initiative aims to become a successful model. Lessons learned and effective models will be replicated and deployed in many provinces and cities across the country, contributing to improving community health through sports activities.
“PATH is proud to take on the leadership role in implementing this initiative. We are honored to work with WHO, IOC and partners in Vietnam to promote positive change in the community through sport.
This initiative is a testament to our commitment to building a healthier and more sustainable community. In 2025 and beyond, PATH will continue to work with partners, governments and local communities to develop a sustainable model that strengthens primary health care systems to respond effectively. with the growing challenges from non-communicable diseases”, Dr. Le Thi Thu Hien, Director of PATH’s Primary Health Care Program, shared.
