(HBO) – To most people, football is the king of sports, but for many residents of Lac Son and Tan Lac districts, volleyball rules. The localities have held annual championships for years, supported by thousands of fans.


The Quyet Thang Seven Communes’ Volleyball Championships is an occasion for solidarity (Photo: A match between teams of the communes of Gia Mo (Tan Lac) and Chi Thien (Lac Son)).

Previously, the competition took place annually without a fixed schedule among seven communes of Gia Mo, Lo Son, Ngo Luong, Phu Luong, Chi Dao, Chi Thien and Phuc Tuy, five of them once belonged to a commune called Quyet Thang.

Based on an agreement among these localities in 2013, the event has been held twice a year on the founding anniversaries of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and Vietnam Women’s Union. Communes in the group take turns to host the event.

The sport exchange aims to boost solidarity among residents of the neighbourhood, and sports in the community, thus helping the localities spur economic growth and alleviate poverty, stated Bui Van Vot, Chairman of the People’s Committee in Phu Luong commune.

Most recently, on March 11, the competition ran in Phu Luong (Lac Son). Despite gloomy sky and light rain, thousands of spectators flocked to the volleyball courts outside the People’s Committee office. As the matches begun, the air was filled with loud cheers.

Quach Van So, a resident of Bay hamlet, Phu Luong commune, was excited to watch the long awaited event.

"All teams play brilliantly. I come to see this competition every single year. This year, Phu Luong is the host so I have not missed a match. I met my friends and volleyball fans here. Thanks to the sport, we can meet up and get closer through conservations. In short, I think the championships hold great value,” So said.

When play began, all gender and age differences were blurred. Everyone just focused on the competition.

Bui Van Toan, a volleyball player in Gia Mo team (Tan Lac) who has played at various tournaments, said: "People from Gia Mo commune and others come to see us play and cheer our performances, encouraging us to do our best. I have learned a lot from this competition.”

Bui Van Au, Deputy Chairman of the Phu Luong People’s Committee said the event contributed significantly to security and order in the neighbourhood and connected authorities and people in these communes.

The upcoming championships are expected to see competitions among female players.

When talking about sports, late President Ho Chi Minh said: "A weak man weakens his nation, while a strong man strengthens his nation”.

It might not be an overstatement to say that the Quyet Thang Seven Communes’ Volleyball Championships have made Vietnam stronger.


                                                                                                        Viet Dao


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