Department of Physical Training and Sports directs protection of athletes, image of Vietnamese volleyball

Sports leaders propose to protect athletes and the image of Vietnamese volleyball - Photo: VOLLEYBALL WORLD

As reported by Tuoi Tre Online , on the night of August 12, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) announced that an athlete of the Vietnamese U21 women's team was not eligible to compete in the 2025 U21 World Volleyball Championship taking place in Indonesia.

FIVB then canceled the results of four matches of the Vietnam U21 women's team, forcing the team that had reached the round of 16 to participate in the ranking round from 17 to 24 at the tournament.

This news shocked volleyball and fans in the country. In history, no Vietnamese athlete or sports team has ever faced such a situation when participating in the world. It is worth mentioning that the incident seriously affected the mental health of this female athlete.

On the morning of August 13, the Vietnam Volleyball Federation (VFV) issued a statement affirming that it had complied with FIVB regulations on athlete registration procedures as well as submitted complete athlete profiles to FIVB before the tournament. These profiles were reviewed and approved by FIVB itself, allowing the athletes to participate in the competition.

However, the FIVB's decision on the ineligible athlete was made based on the request for additional documents and some conditions for the athlete on August 12. These are conditions that have never been previously prescribed by FIVB for the athletes of the Vietnamese team.

Therefore, VFV is making an official complaint according to FIVB procedures, and is coordinating with competent Vietnamese authorities to clarify and protect the rights of athletes as well as the reputation of Vietnamese volleyball.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online on the morning of August 13, a leader of the Department of Physical Training and Sports said that he had directed VFV to work urgently with FIVB to protect the rights of athletes and the image of Vietnamese volleyball. At the same time, the sports industry affirmed that Vietnamese sports aim to be honest and noble, always complying with all regulations of international sports organizations.

"FIVB's regulations on athlete qualification testing are new and were not previously announced to member federations. Now FIVB has issued additional regulations and penalized athletes and Vietnamese volleyball. What is the basis for explaining this? Besides the complaint, the Vietnamese women's U21 volleyball team still complies with FIVB regulations, acts professionally and continues to compete normally at the U21 World Cup," he emphasized.

A sports industry leader affirmed that, in no precedent has any athlete or international sports federation behaved like what is happening at FIVB.

This person said: "The regulations on athlete qualification testing are always announced by the international federation to the national federation before the tournament so that they can prepare. In the case of the Vietnamese U21 female volleyball player this time, FIVB did not set out any regulations requiring athletes to have that parameter checked. Only when the tournament came did they request additional information and said that the Vietnamese athlete was not qualified, canceling Vietnam's results. This is unprecedented and has a huge impact on Vietnamese athletes and volleyball."

VFV leaders said that in addition to complaining about the disciplinary action against Vietnamese athletes, VFV also requested FIVB to issue specific regulations for athletes when participating in international tournaments organized and managed by FIVB.

The 2025 Volleyball World Championship will take place in Thailand on August 22. If FIVB does not make specific requests, it will be difficult for member federations to comply.

VFV will also have an official opinion in FIVB meetings on the issue of athlete qualifications for the tournament.

KHUONG XUAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cuc-the-duc-the-thao-chi-dao-bao-ve-vdv-hinh-anh-cua-bong-chuyen-viet-nam-20250813115104936.htm