Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Paralympic Committee

(Dan Tri) - The 30th anniversary celebration of the Vietnam Paralympic Committee took place today, September 22, marking an important milestone for Vietnam's Paralympic Sports.

30 years ago, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 554/QD-TTg on allowing the establishment of the Vietnam Sports Association for People with Disabilities (PWD).

The Association is the only social organization on sports for people with disabilities in Vietnam established to gather and unite a large number of people with disabilities, organizations of physical education and sports for people with disabilities and organizations and individuals interested in and supporting the sports movement for people with disabilities with the aim of improving the health of people with disabilities, helping people with disabilities integrate into the community, contributing to supporting and developing the sports movement for people with disabilities in the whole country, improving the sports achievements of people with disabilities in particular and Vietnamese sports in general in the international and regional arenas; enhancing the exchange, integration and foreign affairs of the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh speaks at the ceremony celebrating the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Paralympic Committee (Photo: QL).

The Sports Movement for the Disabled started in provinces and cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi , Quang Tri, and spread to provinces and cities across the country, attracting over 35,000 people to practice regularly, and hundreds of sports clubs for the disabled were established.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh said that sports for people with disabilities not only bring glorious achievements in the international arena, but also act as a fire to warm faith, a solid support, foster will, and awaken spiritual strength for millions of people.

"When the sacred red flag with yellow star flies brightly at the Paralympic, Asian Paragames or ASEAN Paragames arenas, with medals and world records set by the Vietnamese people, it is not only a moment of glory for an individual, but also a pride for the entire nation.

That is the message sent to international friends that: no matter what the circumstances, Vietnamese people always strive, dare to assert themselves, dare to reach new heights," Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh shared.

Since 2001, Vietnam has participated in the Southeast Asian Para Games (ASEAN Para Games). At the 2nd Games, Vietnam achieved an impressive second place. In 2005, the Vietnam Paralympic Committee was awarded the Third Class Labor Medal by the State.

Vietnamese disabled sports have achieved many outstanding results (Photo: QL).

In the following years, the network of sports clubs for the disabled was expanded. Sports for the disabled have innovated content, with rich and diverse training subjects, including athletics, swimming, weightlifting, badminton, chess, table tennis, blind judo, archery, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair fencing, 5-a-side football for the blind, yoga, dance sports, pickleball, e-sports...

Vietnam's disabled sports have achieved excellent results in international competitions such as the 2016 Paralympics, winning 1 gold medal, 1 silver medal, and 2 bronze medals. At the 2018 Asian Para Games, they won 8 gold medals. At the 2023 ASEAN Para Games, they won 66 gold medals, 59 silver medals, and 78 bronze medals. At the 2021 Paralympics, they won 1 silver medal, and at the 2024 Paralympics, they won 1 bronze medal.

Many individuals and groups of disabled athletes were awarded noble awards by the State such as the First, Second, and Third Class Labor Medals and Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, ministries, branches, and localities...

The Vietnam Paralympic Committee has been in operation for 30 years (Photo: QL).

Development orientation to 2030. Vietnam's disabled sports develop at least 16 sports, attract 40,000 people to practice annually, expand clubs in provinces and cities, aiming for 1 million disabled people to participate in sports activities.

At the same time, Vietnam's disabled sports maintain 55-60 key athletes, add 10-15 young athletes/year, strive to have qualified athletes and win medals at the 2028 Paralympics. Promote the implementation of training programs, classify injuries, develop community sports. Continue to promote information and propaganda work and promote the socialization of disabled sports movements.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/ky-niem-30-nam-ngay-thanh-lap-uy-ban-paralympic-viet-nam-20250922175354776.htm