Sports festival full of solidarity

From December 14-16, 2024, 279 athletes from 12 provinces and cities were present at the Quang Tri Provincial Multi-purpose Gymnasium to compete in 4 sports: stick pushing, tug of war, crossbow shooting, and slingshot shooting within the framework of the 2024 Vietnam Ethnic Culture Festival. A large number of spectators came to watch, cheer, and encourage the spirit of honest, noble, and united sports competition of athletes from all ethnic groups from all over the country. This is a meaningful activity, contributing to raising awareness in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, sports, folk games, and promoting the campaign "All people exercise following the example of great Uncle Ho" associated with the movement "All people unite to build a cultural life".

Quang Tri Sports Delegation in joy of winning third place overall - Photo: DC

Prepare carefully, compete with all your might

According to the reporter, all the athletes came to Quang Tri with high determination and serious preparation and training in advance. Thanks to that, the festival took place with extremely memorable moments.

Pole pusher Tran Xuan Hieu (born in 2008), Bac Giang delegation shared: “This is the first time I have participated in a large-scale sports competition and also the first time I have been to Quang Tri. When my name was on the list of the pole push team of Bac Giang delegation, I actively practiced and completed the exercises given by the coach”. Entering the competition with strong opponents in the over 85 kg weight class, Xuan Hieu demonstrated his strength and determination when he excellently won the Gold Medal.

The Bac Giang sports delegation came to Quang Tri with 46 male and female athletes who are strong in tug of war and stick pushing. Although the slingshot sport is still new to many athletes in Bac Giang province, the province also organized training, familiarization and competition with the aim of rubbing shoulders and learning experience.

Coach Tran Van Tuan, Bac Giang sports delegation said: "Before the 2024 Vietnam Ethnic Culture Festival, Bac Giang province organized methodical and serious training, selecting both high-performance athletes and amateur athletes.

Arriving in Quang Tri, we quickly let the athletes get acquainted with the competition venue one day in advance. In the final results, in pole pushing, the Bac Giang team won 11 gold medals, 2 silver medals; in tug of war, they won 3 gold medals, 3 silver medals; in crossbow shooting, they won 1 silver medal, 3 bronze medals; and in sling shooting, they won 1 silver medal.

Crossbow shooting attracts many spectators to watch and cheer - Photo: DC

Like the Bac Giang delegation, 26 male and female athletes from Dak Lak province came to compete in sports at the 2024 Vietnam Ethnic Culture Festival with high spirit and determination. The Dak Lak delegation is a strong delegation, participating in all cultural, sports and tourism activities within the framework of the festival, and is an excellent unit that won the first prize in all sports competitions.

Head of the Department of Sports Management, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dak Lak province Vo Dinh Doai said that sports activities for ethnic minorities have always been of interest to the province. Notably, the Provincial Ethnic Minority Sports Festival is held annually, attracting hundreds of athletes.

From the development of mass sports activities, the province has created a foundation for selecting the best players to participate in sports festivals nationwide. “After selecting athletes for the provincial team, we organized thorough training, clearly disseminated the rules and regulations of the competition, and perfected techniques and tactics.

All of this is to bring to the festival in Quang Tri a strong and determined spirit, clearly showing the identity of the Dak Lak ethnic people. We are proud that the athletes have always competed with all their might and strived to overcome many opponents to achieve the highest results," said Mr. Dinh Doai.

The strength of Dak Lak sports was clearly demonstrated in tug of war when they had 3 convincing victories on the final day of competition in 3 weight class finals: 560 kg men, 520 kg women, 540 kg mixed men and women against Bac Giang.

At the end of the sports competitions, the Organizing Committee awarded 72 flags and 41 sets of medals. The Dak Lak provincial sports delegation won the first prize; the delegations of Bac Giang, Son La, and Quang Nam won the second prize; the delegations of Lang Son, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri, Nghe An, and Thua Thien Hue won the third prize; the delegations of Quang Binh, Vinh Phuc, and Da Nang won the consolation prize.

Beautiful impressions of Quang Tri

Hosting the sports competition for the first time within the framework of the Vietnam Ethnic Culture Festival in 2024, Quang Tri province has made many efforts in the organizational stages, contributing to the success of the competitions and leaving a good impression on the heads of delegations, coaches, athletes and fans.

Athlete Lu Thi Sinh, Son La province said: “I am impressed by the people of Quang Tri because of their friendliness and hospitality. Coming here, the athletes and I received an enthusiastic welcome, full support and help to facilitate our travel and competition. The facilities for the competition are very good; security and order are guaranteed and the Quang Tri audience always encourages and cheers us on wholeheartedly. In addition to participating in the festival activities, I also had the opportunity to visit some places in Dong Ha city, learning more about Quang Tri beyond what I have learned in books or on the mass media.”

The Organizing Committee of the Vietnam Ethnic Culture Festival awarded prizes to the sports delegations with high achievements - Photo: DC

Many delegation leaders and athletes of ethnic groups shared the same deep emotions when participating in gratitude activities and visiting historical sites and scenic spots in Quang Tri.

Deputy Head of the Department of Sports Management, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Giang province Nguyen Manh Tuan said: During the days in Quang Tri, the Bac Giang delegation organized for coaches and athletes to visit, offer flowers and incense to pay tribute to heroic martyrs at Truong Son National Martyrs Cemetery, Road 9, Quang Tri Ancient Citadel.

Offering incense directly to the main monuments in the cemeteries and martyrs’ graves, listening to the tour guide explain about the heroic 81-day and night battle to protect Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, we were deeply moved. This is an important activity of the delegation to help athletes appreciate the value of peace, thereby being aware of their responsibilities, promoting the spirit of solidarity, and contributing to building their homeland and country.

Despite the unfavorable weather, the sports competitions took place in a lively manner, in accordance with its true meaning. This is a “festival”, a place to exchange, learn, express and shine the values ​​and cultural quintessence of ethnic groups in the common cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people.

Through that, each athlete group understands more about each other's culture and customs, thereby further strengthening solidarity between ethnic groups.

On the trips back home, many beautiful stories will certainly be passed on and the love of peace, the power of solidarity and noble sportsmanship will be spread strongly from Quang Tri to the villages of ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Hoai Diem Chi

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/ngay-hoi-the-thao-tham-tinh-doan-ket-190546.htm