National Para Athletics Championship 2025 kicks off

* Dong Nai aims to win a gold medal in boccia

The National Para Athletics Championship 2025 for swimming, chess, boccia, archery, and judo has officially begun in Ho Chi Minh City. The event draws more than 300 coaches and athletes from nine provinces and cities, including Dong Nai.

Organizers take a photo with representatives of the participating teams. Source: SGGP Newspaper

On the morning of September 10, at the Cultural and Sports Service Center in Tan Son Nhat Ward, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, in coordination with the Vietnam Department of Sports and the Vietnam Paralympic Committee, officially opened the National Para Athletics Championship 2025, featuring swimming, chess, boccia, archery, and judo.

According to the organizers, the tournament is a sporting event with profound humanitarian significance. It not only encourages people with disabilities to improve their health and confidently integrate into the community, but also offers a platform for them to demonstrate their talent, resilience, and determination to overcome challenges. The event continues to spread the message: "Sports for everyone - No one is left behind," contributing to the building of a compassionate and inclusive society. The tournament also serves as an opportunity for the professional board to review, assess, and select athletes in preparation for the 2025 ASEAN Para Games, scheduled to take place in January 2026 in Thailand.

Disabled athletes from Dong Nai practice getting used to the boccia court on the morning of September 10. Photo: Provided by the unit

National Para Athletics Championship 2025 for swimming, chess, boccia, archery, and judo takes place from September 9 to 14, attracting 317 coaches and athletes with disabilities from nine sports delegations representing provinces and cities across the country, including Can Tho, Da Nang, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Hanoi, Ha Tinh, Thai Nguyen, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City.

Athlete Pham Tuan Nghia of Dong Nai (left) practices getting used to the boccia court. Photo: Provided by the unit

At this year's tournament, Dong Nai is fielding four athletes (three men and one woman), competing exclusively in boccia. Among them, Pham Tuan Nghia, Ly Duc Quyen, and Nguyen Van Bich are strong contenders for gold medals in the men's events. According to the schedule, Dong Nai's athletes will begin competing in boccia on September 11. The boccia competition will take place from September 11 to 13 at the Cultural and Sports Service Center in Tan Thoi Hiep Ward.

Other events are taking place at various venues across Ho Chi Minh City. Swimming and chess competitions are scheduled from September 10 to 13 at the Cultural and Sports Service Center in Tan Son Nhat Ward. Archery will be held on September 11 and 12 at the Cultural and Sports Service Center in An Dong Hoi Ward. Judo events are set for the same dates at the Cultural and Sports Service Center in Hoa Hung Ward.

By: Huy Anh

Translated by: Huyen Trang - Minho