Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnamese gymnasts are looking at the32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games as a key stepping stone towards future successon the global stage, including the 2024 Paris Olympics.

With a history of international success, including representationat the past three Olympics, gymnastics is just one of the several sports that Vietnamhas established itself as a strong contender at regional competitions.

At the 31st SEA Games in May last year, the Vietnamese gymnasticsteam took home an impressive four out of eight men's gold medals, includingvictories in the horizontal bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, and teamall-around events.

As preparations for the upcoming Phnom Penh Games in May getunderway, Bui Trung Thien of the Vietnam Sports Administration called upon thecountry's top athletes to train together.

Among them are seasoned veterans like Le Thanh Tung and Dinh PhuongThanh, who have already secured World Cup medals, as well as rising stars likeTrinh Hai Khang, Dang Ngoc Xuan Thien, and Nguyen Van Khanh Phong.

Phong finished fourth in the Baku World Cup's men's rings event onMarch 11 while Khang placed seventh in the Doha World Cup early last week. Theywill continue competing in other international events in the future.

Thien confirmed that his players were asked to win up to threegolds in Cambodia, as the hosts reduced the number of events compared toprevious Games.

"They are preparing not only for the SEA Games but also theAsian Games and the Olympic qualifications," said Thien.

"Apart from improving athletes' quality we also buildprogrammes to train junior athletes who will replace their veteran teammates inthe future."

Olympic target

In addition to the golds from the 32nd SEA Games, the team alsoaim to win at least a bronze from the Asian Games in September in China and twoplaces at the Paris Games in 2024.

In 2023, there are four World Cups, also Olympic qualificationsheld on four continents. The next World Cups will be in Azerbaijan and Egypt inApril. The Asian championship, another qualification, will be held in theRepublic of Korea in May. The world championship in October in Belgium willcount towards qualification.

Athletes will take part in these tournaments to either win directqualification or to collect points for their Olympic campaign.

"Organisers set higher standards every Olympics, leading totough competitions. We will have to work really hard to complete ourmission," said coach Truong Minh Sang.

The team also plan to have an intensive training course in Chinafor the Korean Asian championship and expects to win Olympic tickets there.

Strong support

In an effort to support national gymnastics, the VietnamGymnastics Federation VGF and Next Media, a company specialising in providingsolutions for all media and digital content needs, signed a four-yearcooperation contract on March 9.

From now until 2027, the two sides will work together to mobilisesocial sources and sponsorships to develop the national artistic and rhythmicgymnastics, dance sports and aerobic movement.

The two sides will also work on matters of communication,commercial exploitation, copyright and organising domestic tournaments andaccompanying national teams in international events.

"Gymnastics is one of the core sports of the Olympics,"said Tran Chien Thang, VGF President. "Vietnam has grabbed pretty goodresults in international competition but locally not many people know aboutit."

"Due to a lack of interest, the federation meets a lot ofdifficulty in finding financial support. I hope that through the cooperationwith Next Media, the problem will be solved and all four sports under the VGFwill be lifted to a higher level."

Next Media Deputy General Director Do Thanh Tung said in additionto popularising VGF images and to the wider community, Next Media would callfor enterprises' sponsorship so that leading athletes would be sent abroad forpractising.

Previously, Next Media worked with the Vietnam Football Federationto send the U17 team on a training course in Germany. They also successfullyorganised True Love, an event to raise funds for underprivileged childrenbecause of COVID-19, and a friendly match between the Vietnam national team andBorussia Dortmund FC./.