Support vowed by IPC leader towards Vietnam's disabled athletes

Rewritten Article

Hà Nội - The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is ready to help Vietnam improve para-sports and aid disabled individuals in integrating into society.

IPC President Andrew Parsons and his team visited Vietnam last May, meeting with the local Paralympic Committee (VPC).

Huỳnh Vĩnh Ái, VPC President, described the current state of sports for the disabled Vietnamese population: "Vietnam's population includes millions of disabled individuals and war veterans. Disabled individuals face numerous challenges despite making up 6.11% of the country. Sports activities help them maintain better health, develop stronger determination, courage, and confidence in society. The Vietnam Sports Organisation for People with Disabilities was founded to provide assistance."

Established in 1995 and later renamed as the Vietnam Paralympic Committee, the Organisation has fostered sports growth in many places across Vietnam over the past 30 years. Currently, 45 out of Vietnam’s 63 provinces and cities boast thriving sports movements, with approximately 35 provinces and cities regularly attending annual tournaments that host roughly 1,300 athletes. Over 25,000 disabled individuals participate in sports activities nationwide.

IPC President Andrew Parsons (fifth from left) shakes hands with VPC President Huỳnh Vĩnh Ái during his working trip to Việt Nam on May 15. - Photos courtesy of VPC

Vietnamese para-athletes have achieved noteworthy results in regional, continental, and Paralympic Games. In the 2016 Rio Paralympics, Vietnam garnered one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals, making history as the country's best performance to date.

President Ái also shared difficulties faced by Vietnamese para-athletes and plans for future national para-sports development. During the meeting with IPC President Parsons, the Vietnamese delegation made several proposals for support in areas such as facilities, sports equipment, community sports development, operational costs, and international competition opportunities.

At the meeting, IPC President Parsons expressed his enthusiasm for visiting Vietnam. He shared that more than 15% of the world's population has disabilities, and his vision is to support member organizations in aiding their disabled athletes and organizing tournaments. The Paralympics and Asian Para Games serve as critical opportunities for athletes to improve their lives and integrate better into their communities.

President Parsons expressed understanding of the challenges faced by Vietnamese para-athletes and pledged to assist in making sports more accessible for disabled individuals, promoting their social integration. In cases where the IPC can provide assistance domestically, he encouraged Vietnam to submit requests directly to the IPC’s Asia-Pacific regional representative. For disability classification issues, which are crucial for fair competition, he recommended Vietnam continue its efforts in this area.

Officials of the VPC and IPC during their working session on May 15 in Hà Nội.

After meeting the leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, President Parsons continued his mission to promote and support para-sports development in Vietnam. Indications from this encounter suggest that Vietnam's commitment to improving sports and community opportunities for disabled individuals will persist, building on its accomplishments and receiving support from the IPC.

The IPC's vision is to support member organizations in aiding their disabled athletes and organizing tournaments, recognizing that over 15% of the world's population has disabilities.
In the field of education, Vietnam Sports Organisation for People with Disabilities was founded to provide assistance and aid in the integration of disabled individuals into society.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President, met with the local Paralympic Committee (VPC) in Vietnam to discuss the development of sports for the disabled population, particularly in the context of health and wellness, fitness, and exercise.
The VPC shared the difficulties faced by Vietnamese para-athletes and proposed support in various areas, including facilities, sports equipment, community sports development, operational costs, and international competition opportunities.
Aid in integrating disabled individuals into society is an important aspect of the IPC's mission as they strive to foster cultural understanding and improve mental health outcomes for para-athletes, in addition to their achievements in sports.