Para Games athlete teaches swimming to orphans for free

Athlete Han Quang Thoai instructs swimming techniques for children - Photo: NGOC PHUONG

After a fever at the age of 3, Thoai's (from Ninh Thuan) legs could not heal. Overcoming adversity, he tried to study to become a teacher. Thoai studied history at Dong Thap University, after graduating he taught at a secondary school in Ho Chi Minh City.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, feeling his health decline, he decided to play sports and temporarily stop teaching at school. After that, he fell in love with swimming and became a Para Games athlete.

In 2023, athlete Han Quang Thoai was called up to the national team, participating in the 2023 Asean Para Games in Cambodia and winning four bronze medals (400m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle and 200m medley)...

In addition to practicing for competitions and teaching freestyle swimming, Mr. Thoai teaches swimming for free to children at the Angel Children's Shelter (Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City) every Monday morning, Tuesday afternoon and Friday.

Mr. Han Quang Thoai shared: "The most important thing when teaching swimming is to prevent drowning. I instruct children in safety skills and dangers in the water environment to avoid risks. I hope that children can learn to swim, and in the future, can compete, consider this as a future major and stick with this sport for a long time."

In addition to teaching swimming for free, athlete Han Quang Thoai also holds history seminars at the orphanage. Last August, Thoai taught two seminars on Phu Dong Thien Vuong and the story of Lac Long Quan - Au Co.

"Because I love the children, I spend time teaching them more about history. I want them to know about the origins of the nation, the characters, the heroes who have contributed to building and defending the country," said Mr. Thoai.

Mr. Bui Cong Hiep - Director of the Angel Children's Shelter - said that the facility has 84 children learning to swim to prevent drowning, and talented children are allowed to compete professionally.

"Most of the swimming teachers here are athletes. Mr. Thoai came to teach swimming and history. For the history sessions, he and I choose the topic together. Then, I will give the topic to the children to learn in advance and Mr. Thoai will come to class to ask questions. These sessions train the children about history and also confidence in communication," said Mr. Hiep.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/van-dong-vien-para-games-day-boi-mien-phi-cho-tre-mo-coi-20240922095516853.htm