Mr. Hoang Duc Dung (born in 1977), in Phu Thi quarter, Ho Xa town, Vinh Linh district, is a familiar name to those who work in training and organizing sports competitions for people with disabilities (PWD). He has spent nearly two decades working, dedicating and devoting himself to PWD sports. Sports is also where he places his passion, ambition and hope for the strong rise of people with disabilities who do not surrender to fate...
Mr. Dung (2nd, left) and the Provincial Disabled Sports Delegation participate in the 2024 National Sports Championship for the Disabled - Photo: NVCC
Special bridge
We met Hoang Duc Dung again when he had just returned from the 2024 National Paralympic Sports Championship in Ho Chi Minh City. What was more exciting was that on this occasion, Mr. Dung was honored to receive the commemorative medal "20 years of dedication to sports for people with disabilities" from the Vietnam Paralympic Committee.
Previously, he was awarded many certificates of merit by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the Vietnam Association of People with Disabilities, the Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee; the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Paralympic Committee, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and many other noble titles. This is a great recognition for his dedication and contributions to sports for the disabled.
For Mr. Dung, sports is a special bridge that helps his life turn to a new page. In 2003, he officially participated in the Quang Tri Province Disabled Sports Tournament, competing in badminton.
“At that time, I competed to meet and interact with people in the same situation, not thinking about winning a medal. Because before that, I played badminton by instinct, did not understand the rules and encountered many difficulties. However, what I will always remember is that I tried my best and won a Bronze Medal. That was also my first medal, opening up many good things in the future,” he recalled.
In the next 10 years, he participated in provincial-level sports competitions for disabled people as an athlete and won 8 Gold Medals (HCV), 6 Silver Medals (HCB), and 6 Bronze Medals in badminton.
Mr. Dung instructs children on badminton techniques - Photo: DC
Since childhood, Mr. Dung has suffered from a congenital disability that caused his right leg to atrophy, making it difficult for him to move. For that reason, he always reaches out to people in similar situations, hoping to help them overcome their inferiority complex and integrate into the community.
From 2005-2013, as the Chairman of the Sports Club for the Disabled in Vinh Linh District, Mr. Dung made many positive contributions to building an effective Club and organizing many sports competitions for the disabled in Vinh Linh District. In particular, he always focused on helping the disabled come to sports to change their lives.
Knowing that most PWDs face economic difficulties and always have inferiority complexes, Mr. Dung tries every way to contact and meet them to encourage them to "step out" and integrate into the community. He said that at that time, everything was difficult, especially how to help PWDs change their perception.
With an old motorbike, Mr. Dung has traveled to all localities in the district with the belief that his own story will inspire people in the same situation to practice sports and improve their health. When coming to the disabled or meeting families with disabled children, he always convinces them that the first thing that disabled people need is physical exercise and mental comfort. Each disabled person should choose a sport suitable for their disability to practice, to gain health and confidence...
Mr. Dung's efforts and enthusiasm gradually became a reality when the number of PWDs joining the Club increased. From 23 initial members, the Club had more than 200 members at its peak. In order to continuously improve his knowledge and understanding of issues related to PWDs and provide better support to members, Mr. Dung proactively participated in many training courses of non-governmental organizations and projects related to PWDs.
Since then, the association has helped many disabled children and PWDs participate in outdoor activities and picnics... He has also guided and oriented members to practice sports suitable for each type of disability. Since then, many people have confidently participated in sports competitions from district to province.
Many athletes, through the discovery, guidance and training of Mr. Dung, have become good athletes of the province and the country, notably athletes: Le Thi Giang, Thai Thi Hong Nhung (swimming), Ho Hai Ky, Vu Tan Tan, Phan Thi Bich (athletics)...
Every time the athletes compete, Mr. Dung always follows closely and pays attention to their health condition because many disabled people can get sick right before the competition. Many athletes respect and are grateful to him - the "first teacher" who has helped them write new pages in their lives and has made many contributions to disabled people's sports in the province as well as in Vietnam.
Contribution to mass sports
In April 2024, Mr. Dung and the Provincial Disabled Sports Delegation participated in the 2024 National Sports Championship for the Disabled, winning 7 gold medals, 7 silver medals, 12 bronze medals, ranking third nationwide in athletics and archery.
Over the years, he has always received respect and appreciation from sports experts, athletes, and sports fans inside and outside the district. Since 2003, Mr. Dung has been an active collaborator for the Department of Sports and Physical Training of Vinh Linh district. He can be a main referee, a table referee in badminton, volleyball, football, etc., so he is often invited by many levels and sectors in Vinh Linh district to participate in the organizing committee of mass sports tournaments. Mr. Dung also actively supports in building tournament regulations, organizing work, inviting referees and commentators without asking for any remuneration or conditions.
“To gain more knowledge about the law, grasp the tournament regulations and how to organize tournaments in sports, I often buy more books to read, research online and learn from experts. On the other hand, sports are always changing, so I have to constantly update myself to keep up with the trend. For me, helping people and contributing to mass sports is happiness,” he shared.
Mr. Dung was awarded the "20 years of dedication to sports for people with disabilities" medal by the Vietnam Paralympic Committee - Photo: DC
In 2013, Mr. Dung founded Binh Minh Badminton Club and has maintained good activities until now with 8 members who are completely healthy and normal. Binh Minh Club organizes many exchange and competition activities, creating a playground for members. What is special is that many people praise and admire when they know that Mr. Dung is a disabled person and is the chairman of the club with passion and prestige. He added: "In Vinh Linh district, many children have the potential for badminton, however, this sport does not have good conditions to develop.
Therefore, I and a professional teacher are recruiting students and plan to organize a badminton class at Vinh Linh District Sports and Training Center in the summer of 2024. The purpose of this class is to nurture badminton talents for the district.
In addition, I also cherish the plan to re-establish the Sports Club for the Disabled in Vinh Linh District to help the Disabled have a living environment, improve their health, and overcome diseases. The Club will focus on practical activities such as protecting and caring for the Disabled; organizing cultural playgrounds and activities such as camps, painting competitions... for the Disabled.
I hope this activity will receive everyone's cooperation and contribution to inspire strong life for people who are disadvantaged in society...".
Hoai Diem Chi
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