Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Văn Hùng presents certificates of merit to the nation's best athletes in 2023. Photos Viết Thành-Quang Thái

HÀ NỘI — A programme entitled Vinh Quang Việt Nam (Việt Nam Glory) was organised to honour successful national sportsmen of 2023 on March 24 in Hà Nội.

At the same time, the annual Hànộimới newspaper's 49th Run for Peace and Olympic Run Day are launched.

These events are among many activities to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the Việt Nam Sports Day on March 27.

In 2023, athletes participated in many major events such as: FIFA Women's World Cup, 19th Asian Games, fourth Asian Para Games, 32th SEA Games and 12th Para Games.

They brought home excellent achievements in many sports. The best ones were recognised as players and coaches of the year through a national vote by sport journalists.

At Việt Nam Glory, they receive certificates of merit from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Việt Nam Olympic Committee. Meanwhile the most outstanding ones are granted Labour Medals from the President and certificates of merit from the Prime Minister.

Organisers hope that the awards offer strong motivation for them to practise harder and compete better for higher results, and secure their Olympic spots in Paris this summer.

“In the last 78 years, carrying out the ideology of President Hồ Chí Minh, the Party and State have always paid attention to and support national sports development extensively. At the same time, the sport industry has also striven to successfully implement the goal of "being healthy to build and protect the Fatherland," Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Văn Hùng said.

"We deeply trust that sport leaders, officials, coaches, referees and athletes will continue to strongly promote tradition; be determined to do their best; unite and be creative to overcome all difficulties and challenges and complete assigned tasks.

"It is their contribution to lift the national sport to a new level, joining hands in the cause of industrialisation and modernisation of the country and improving the health, physical strength and stature of the Vietnamese people."

Later, the Hà Nội Culture and Sports Department and Hànộimới (New Hà Nội) newspaper kicked off the Olympic Day Run and the Run for the Peace.

More than 4,500 people, including State and Hà Nội leaders, sport managers and athletes, run to mark the Olympic Run Day and Run for the Peace events.

More than 4,500 participants, including nearly 1,000 athletes, ran around the Hoàn Kiếm Lake to respond to the launch.

As planned, after the ceremony, all communes and districts will organise their own running qualifications in March. The finals will be from April to September.

The City's finale will be held on September 29 at Hoàn Kiếm Lake.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Chairwoman of Hà Nội People's Committee Vũ Thu Hà said: "All 30 districts of Hà Nội have built their plans for the Olympic Run and the Run for the Peace which are expected to feature more than 350,000 participants.

"These are meaningful social programmes which aim to popularise to all classes of people the meaning of physical training, improving their health and stature, and at the same time looking toward to the final of the 49th Run for the Peace.

The traditional and prestigious sport event in the capital is to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Hà Nội's Liberation Day on October 10.

Later, the organisers respectfully thanked the leaders of the Party and State, sport managers as well as local authorities for their attention and support to athletes and coaches.

They also sincerely thanked SABECO and the sponsors, news agencies and media nationwide for encouraging and congratulating the sportspeople, and hoped to receive more support for national sport development.

SABECO General Director Lester Tan said SABECO was honoured to accompany the Việt Nam Glory event in tribute to outstanding Vietnamese athletes and coaches.

SABECO was also proud to be able to join hands in promoting positive changes for the development of Vietnamese sports through projects to support young talents, and contribute to build Vietnamese sports with the most practical actions. VNS