Motivation from socialization

(Baonghean) - Despite being a district with a large area, a large population, and many economic difficulties, Nghi Loc district has seen strong and widespread development of mass sports and physical education thanks to effective social mobilization efforts... affirming the role and significance of all-people sports and physical education.

Nghi Truong commune stands out in the social mobilization of mass sports and physical education in Nghi Loc district. Walking along the village roads and alleys in Nghi Truong every morning and evening, it's easy to see many people calling out to each other to play badminton and volleyball... These are two sports that are most enthusiastically embraced and heavily invested in by the people of Nghi Truong in this rural area. We visited the family of Mr. Phan Ba ​​Binh (Hamlet 6, Nghi Truong commune) just as the whole family and neighbors were gathered in the backyard, sweeping, setting up nets... preparing for their daily badminton game. "This badminton court was built by my family in August 2013, not for commercial purposes, but entirely for community use, as a common gathering place for the whole hamlet," Mr. Phan Ba ​​Binh happily shared.

The cost of building the badminton court and accompanying facilities was nearly 15 million VND, a considerable sum in 2013 compared to the average income in Nghi Truong commune, a predominantly agricultural area. Sharing his reasons for building the family badminton court, Mr. Phan Ba ​​Binh affirmed: “The amount of money is large, but the meaning and benefits it brings are far greater. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with severe diabetes. From being a tall, strong man weighing over 80 kg, my health gradually deteriorated, and my weight dropped to less than 60 kg. I decided to invest in physical exercise and sports to overcome the disease.” Not only his family, but many residents of Hamlet 6 are passionate about sports. Building the badminton court, with its community-oriented significance, will help strengthen the bonds of friendship and camaraderie within the hamlet, allowing everyone to improve their health and combat potential social ills among young people.

Volleyball tournament to celebrate Vietnamese Women's Day 2015 in Nghi Loc.

Not only does Mr. Phan Ba ​​Binh's family have a badminton court, but the movement to socialize sports facilities in Nghi Truong commune is also growing stronger with the joint efforts and contributions of the entire community. In Hamlet 12, 104 households are always proud of their 5 standard volleyball courts, built with a total cost of over 100 million VND from generous donors, including businesses in the area and people from all walks of life. Mr. Phan Dinh Ha - Secretary of the Party Branch of Hamlet 12, said: “The 5 volleyball courts were built between 2008 and 2010. When the idea of ​​investing in sports facilities was first conceived, the hamlet's leadership committee skillfully incorporated propaganda into community meetings and group activities about the meaning and important role of these facilities in people's well-being. Therefore, the people wholeheartedly agreed and responded, and the construction and use process went completely smoothly.”

Currently, in Nghi Truong commune, there are over 40 volleyball courts and nearly 20 standard badminton courts built through social mobilization across 19 hamlets. This exemplary model from Nghi Truong has been replicated and spread to many neighboring communes. The family of Mr. Le Van Hoa has become a common sports and physical activity center for the entire Hamlet 2 of Nghi Truong. Mr. Le Van Hoa said: “Driven by my love for badminton and my concern about the limited land in our commune and the lack of sports fields to meet the needs of the people, in 2012, my family decided to build a badminton court in our garden.” Mr. Hoa believes that exercising is good for oneself and one's family, and that one should not have the mindset of waiting, relying on, or complaining about public sports facilities. “Given the poverty of our village, the budget has to be allocated to more urgent matters, and land is limited. Therefore, each family, to the best of their ability, should contribute to the mass sports movement. I am very happy that from the badminton court at my family's home, many outstanding amateur athletes are discovered each year, contributing many achievements to the village's sports movement,” Mr. Hoa shared.

The positive thinking and actions in the socialization of physical education and sports among the people of Nghi Loc district are due to the effective role of the district's government and sports sector in promoting, guiding, and encouraging the people. Currently, all 30 communes and towns have land use plans for cultural and sports activities, 28 out of 30 communes and towns have commune stadiums, and 93% of hamlets and neighborhoods have sports fields. Not only has the district been successful in socializing the construction of sports facilities, but at annual sports events such as the Spring Strong Teams Volleyball Tournament and the Nguyen Xi Temple Festival Volleyball Tournament, the district has also done very well in socializing and mobilizing resources from philanthropists and benefactors.

Mr. Nguyen Sy Tuan, Deputy Director of the Culture, Sports and Information Center of Nghi Loc District, affirmed: “The decisive factor in the development of the mass sports movement is the people. To awaken passion and encourage bold investment from the people, we always focus on promoting propaganda work, making everyone, especially Party committees, government at all levels, and functional agencies, deeply and fully understand the socialization of sports. On the other hand, we always promptly encourage and reward organizations and individuals with achievements in socialization, while learning from experience and replicating exemplary models. Only in this way can the socialization of sports create joy from voluntarism and passion, so that all strata of society, especially the poor and policy beneficiaries, can improve their enjoyment and participation in sports and physical training, and improve their health.”

Phuong Chi