New association to promote skating in Vietnam

Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Skating Federation (VSF) is established at a meeting in Hanoi on November 3.

Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a decision to establish the VSF.

One of the key tasks of the VSF is to develop skating across the country. It aims to have 10 cities and provinces with skaters competing in annual tournaments.

The VSF also aims to become a member of the International Skating Federation (ISF). It will soon form the national professional skating centre to raise the standard for professional skaters and coaches in the country.

The federation also targets expanding training scale and exchange between Vietnam and other countries.

The first professional skating rink was inaugurated in Hanoi in 2013, and since then rinks have been built in Quang Ninh, Da Nang, Can Tho, Bien Hoa and HCM City.

As it is not yet a member of the ISF, Vietnam is not allowed to compete in many international events. It cannot invite experienced coaches to train Vietnamese skaters.

“The VSF has a very important role to play as it creates a legal chance for lovers of this sport to take part in tournaments officially,” said Dang Ha Viet, rector of HCM City Sports University, a member of the campaign board to establish the VSF. “The federation will help Vietnamese skating integrate into the region and the world.”

Ha said there are many Vietnamese skaters training abroad at their own expense. He hopes that when the VSF officially starts operations, it will have a proper investment for its skaters.

Vietnam plans to send athletes to Russia to compete in the Children of Asia Winter International Sports Games in February next year in artistic roller skating and speed skating.

So far, the country has had many junior skaters win international events including Skate Asia 2016 in Malaysia and Skate Asia 2017 in Indonesia. In the Skate Asia held in August in Thailand this year, Vietnam won four gold medals at different age groups. -VNA