Athletes have no salary or other income, just waiting for nutrition. Yet…
Before Vinh Phuc Sports Training and Competition Center (HL&TĐTT) announced the temporary suspension of operations and rower Nguyen Thi Huong asked for a break from training, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Phuc sent a report to the UNBD of this province on October 17, 2024, on the proposal to approve the policy of nutritional support for athletes and coaches during regular training of provincial sports teams.
The report states: “The athletes currently do not have salaries or other income when training regularly at the center. To ensure the minimum daily living standards, the athletes’ only source of funding is a regular nutrition regimen that is paid monthly. Due to not being paid this regime, the center’s athletes cannot concentrate on training and face many difficulties, making it difficult for the center to maintain a resource of high-achieving athletes for the province. Therefore, nutritional support for athletes and coaches is very necessary on a practical basis.”
Nguyen Thi Huong (2nd, from left) and Vietnamese female rowing athletes receive medals at SEA Games 31
Urgent proposal, but not yet resolved
In a dispatch submitted to the provincial leaders, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Phuc reported: “To remove difficulties and obstacles for coaches and athletes who are physically present during regular training at the Training and Competition Center. Vinh Phuc sports competition, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Phuc coordinated with the Department of Finance of Vinh Phuc to report and propose that the Provincial People’s Committee agree to support the nutritional regime calculated in money for coaches and athletes in the competition. Regular practice time of provincial-level sports teams in 2024.
According to the proposal, the spending level for coaches and team athletes is 175,000 VND/day/person; For coaches and youth team athletes, it is 150,000 VND/day/person. The support period is from January to December 2024, of which: from January to September 2024, the number of days coaches and athletes are entitled to participate in training, competitions, holidays and vacations is deducted. From October to December 2024, request to receive 100% of the regular training nutrition amount when going to training and competition, the difference will be paid according to regulations. Total proposed budget: 11,860,375,000 VND (eleven billion, eight hundred sixty million, three hundred seventy-five thousand dong)”.
Until the end of 2024, the funding support proposals of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism have not yet been approved by the competent authorities of Vinh Phuc province. As a result, Vinh Phuc Sports Training and Competition Center had to announce a temporary suspension of regular training of sports teams from December 24, 2024. 11 sports teams, with more than 200 people (including coaches and athletes) had to fall into ruin. Notably, talented face Nguyen Thi Huong also took a break from practicing rowing in Vinh Phuc province, when the rower born in 2001 said she had not received medal rewards for domestic tournaments for 3 years (from 2022 to 2024) and nutrition support in 2024.
Mr. Nguyen Hai Duong – Chairman of the Vietnam Sailing Federation shared with the media on January 21: “Even though Nguyen Thi Huong has asked to quit training locally, she is still a member of the federation. Huong is still guaranteed All rights of the federation and team. All upcoming national and international competition plans of this rower will not change.”
Athlete Nguyen Thi Huong confirmed: “I would like to take a leave of absence from training for Vinh Phuc team’s boat racing due to the delay in receiving rewards and nutritional support.”
Like Adolescent informed that on December 23, 2024, Vinh Phuc Sports Training and Sports Center issued a notice to temporarily suspend the regular training of sports teams from December 24, 2024, “based on the request of sports teams and The actual situation is that there is no regular nutrition for coaches and athletes.” The announcement clearly states that sports teams will practice regularly until they are granted regular funding in 2024.
On the same day (December 23, 2024), the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Phuc also sent a situation report to the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People’s Committee on nutritional support for coaches and athletes during regular training. . According to the report of this department, “from the beginning of 2024 until now, the regular nutrition and exercise regime of Vinh Phuc province in 2024 has not been granted; salary regime, training support money, social insurance participation. currently not available”. The report also states that since the beginning of 2204, leaders of Vinh Phuc Sports Training and Sports Center, heads of departments… have borrowed funds to maintain the kitchen to ensure that coaches and athletes are healthy during practice. Thereby, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Phuc has requested the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, the People’s Council and the Provincial People’s Committee to pay attention and direct to have a plan to support funding related to specific nutrition for children. Coaches and athletes of the provincial high-performance sports team are physically present during regular training sessions at the Provincial Sports Training and Sports Center, and at the same time allow the continued completion of the draft Resolution of the Provincial People’s Council stipulating a main number Specific policy for developing physical education and sports in Vinh Phuc province in the period 2025 – 2030 as soon as possible.
