Coach Ha Tung Lap: The "fire keeper" of the capital's Sepak Takraw

After more than three decades of being involved in Sepak Takraw, coach of the Sepak Takraw team Ha Tung Lap has become a symbol of dedication and perseverance, a "fire keeper" who has contributed to helping Sepak Takraw maintain its number one position in the country. In 2025, coach Ha Tung Lap was honored to be awarded the title "Outstanding Citizen of the Capital" by the Hanoi People's Committee. This is a source of pride and motivation for the Hanoi coach to continue to contribute to the capital's sports in particular and to devote his life to Sepak Takraw in Vietnam in general.

Coach Ha Tung Lap (white shirt standing in the middle) and the Vietnamese sepak takraw team at the 2006 Asian Games . Photo: NVCC

Fate with rattan ball

Born in 1977, tall, with a gentle face and a warm smile, few people know that the boy Ha Tung Lap was once skinny, weighing just over 40kg. His father – Coach Ha Kha Luan, former Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports – was the one who advised his son to exercise to improve his health.

From the early days of just practicing “for fitness”, Ha Tung Lap was gradually attracted by the sophistication of the juggling, the flexibility in the coordination and the high team spirit. Up to now, Ha Tung Lap has become the “fire keeper” of the capital’s Sepak Takraw, continuing his father’s passion and writing the journey of the younger generation. He is a living testament to a simple yet profound philosophy: “When there is passion and perseverance, all limits can be overcome. Sepak Takraw is not just a game – it is a combination of technique, tactics, endurance and will,” he said.

In the early years, Hanoi Sepak Takraw lacked training grounds and equipment, and the living conditions of athletes were limited. But it was in that hardship that Ha Tung Lap learned the greatest lesson: passion and perseverance can overcome all limits. He confided: “I sacrificed a lot of time for my family and my personal interests. But in return, I got to live in my passion, witness my students grow up and reach international level – that is the most precious reward.”

Joining the Hanoi Sports Training and Competition Center in 1993, Ha Tung Lap quickly asserted his talent on the field and then in his coaching position. From 2000 to 2014, he took on the role of head coach of the national women's sepak takraw team, leading the team to win 3 gold medals, 16 silver medals and 3 bronze medals at the SEA Games and ASIAD.

Under the guidance of coach Ha Tung Lap, the capital's sepak takraw has continuously maintained its leading position nationwide. Photo: NVCC

After the 2014 ASIAD, Ha Tung Lap returned to Hanoi, taking on the role of Head of Sepak Takraw Department. Under his leadership, the capital's Sepak Takraw continuously maintained the leading position nationwide, contributing many athletes to the national team. In 2023 alone, Hanoi athletes brought home 1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze medals at the 32nd SEA Games; 1 gold at the 19th ASIAD and 2 gold medals at the Asian Championship - clear evidence of the leading position of Hanoi Sepak Takraw.

Coach Ha Tung Lap is not only a strict teacher on the training ground but also a person who inspires his students with love and perseverance. He often says: “If you want to play the game, practice with all your heart. Only passion can help you stand firm on the long and challenging road.”

Passing the torch and creating the future

Moving into a management role, Coach Ha Tung Lap aims to develop Hanoi Sepak Takraw in two directions: expanding the movement and providing intensive youth training. “We coordinate with schools, districts and counties to build satellite clubs, bringing Sepak Takraw closer to students and the community. This is also a foundation for discovering and nurturing talent. Along with that, the team of young coaches is continuously trained to ensure a solid succession for the future,” said the coach from Hanoi.

Coach Ha Tung Lap is the one who "keeps the fire" for Hanoi Sepak Takraw. Photo: NVCC

According to coach Ha Tung Lap, to maintain its leading position, Hanoi Sepak Takraw needs to continue to receive synchronous investment: "It is necessary to take care of the athletes' physical strength, technique and competitive qualities, while creating conditions for them to regularly compete internationally."

Director of the Hanoi Sports Training and Competition Center (Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports) Dinh Van Luyen commented: “Coach Ha Tung Lap is one of the most dedicated people I have ever known. He not only inherits the legacy from the previous generation but also opens a new direction for the development of the capital's Sepak Takraw - that is the combination of modern training science and the tenacious spirit of Hanoi people.”

When being honored as “Outstanding Capital Citizen” in 2025, Coach Ha Tung Lap was moved: “This is not only a recognition for me, but also a reward for the collective of Hanoi sports people. This title is the motivation for me to continue to contribute, bringing the capital’s sports to the regional and world level. For me, sepak takraw is not only a career but also a way of life. Even if I no longer have the strength to coach, I will still follow, support and live with sepak takraw in my own way. It can be said that this is a sport I will stick with for the rest of my life,” Ha Tung Lap shared.

Looking back on the journey of more than 35 years of formation and development, since the father of coach Ha Tung Lap - the late coach Ha Kha Luan, who is considered the "father" of Vietnamese sepak takraw - until now, Hanoi sepak takraw has become a key sport of Vietnamese sports. At the Sepak takraw World Cup 2025, the Vietnamese team won the gold medal in the women's 4-person event - defeating Thailand, affirming its position in the world arena. In particular, Hanoi contributed two typical faces: Nguyen Thi Yen and Nguyen Thi Khanh Ly. "This victory is the result of a process of investing in the right direction. Hanoi sepak takraw will continue to be the key resource for the national team, aiming for the upcoming SEA Games 33 and ASIAD 20", coach Ha Tung Lap affirmed.

The title “Outstanding Citizen of the Capital” is a worthy reward for Coach Ha Tung Lap – a teacher who has devoted his whole life to Sepak Takraw – a small sport but contains the courage, will and spirit of Hanoi sports.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/huan-luyen-vien-ha-tung-lap-nguoi-giu-lua-cho-cau-may-thu-do-719358.html