Shooting expert Park Chung-gun’s contract with the Sports Administration expired on August 31. As he did not receive an extension request, Mr. Park returned to Korea. However, after Thanh Nien Newspaper reported the information, the sports industry sent a letter requesting a contract extension to Mr. Park.

In addition, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has chaired a meeting with the Department of Sports and Physical Training to hear explanations about the issue related to Mr. Park Chung-gun. The working session of the sports sector with the Korean expert is scheduled to take place on September 24. However, there is no guarantee that the two sides will find a common voice.

Expert Park Chung-gun shared with Thanh Nien Newspaper his thoughts and wishes before negotiating a new contract with the Department of Sports and Physical Training, as well as his comments on the goals that the sports industry plans to assign.

Salary is not an issue

There are 8 days left before the official negotiation with the Department of Sports and Physical Training. Have you made your decision yet, sir?

I have not made a decision yet. Everything will depend on the discussion with the sports industry on September 24. Everything is still open.

What conditions did he set for signing the new contract?

I don't have any complicated conditions. If anything, I want to be given real working conditions. I want them to let me do my job properly. I never asked for a high salary. That's not the problem.

Is the goal of 3 gold medals at SEA Games 33 (2025), 2 gold medals at ASIAD 20 (2026) and 1 gold medal at the Olympics (2028) set by the Department of Sports and Physical Training too much for Vietnamese shooting?

I think 3 SEA Games gold medals are achievable. 2 Asian Games gold medals are also possible, although relatively difficult. 1 Olympic gold medal is very difficult, I cannot commit to it. Winning a gold medal at the Olympics is very, very difficult.

I am only in charge of a part of the athletes in the Vietnamese shooting team (men's air pistol), so it is unreasonable for them to give me the medal target of the entire shooting team.

For example, in the rifle event, even if we have world-class experts here, there is no guarantee of success with the current quality of athletes. Meanwhile, finding a source of athletes for the Vietnamese shooting team is not my task.

Can Vietnamese shooting compete with shooting powerhouses like Korea, China, India just by hiring good experts?

I don’t know what the leaders of the Sports and Physical Training Department want, because we are still waiting for negotiations. However, Vietnamese shooting has won gold medals at the Olympics and ASIAD. Those are both difficult playgrounds, but my athletes and I have done it.

Remember that to compete in the Olympics, Vietnamese shooters must compete with the whole world, not just Southeast Asia. Just look at shooting powerhouses like China and South Korea. Just the number of shooters alone is very different from us.

Vietnam Shooting Shortage of Ammo for 5 Years

What does Vietnamese shooting lack to compete in ASIAD or Olympics?

The difference between Vietnamese shooting and countries like Korea and China is hard to imagine.

For example, Vietnamese athletes have not been provided with enough live ammunition for the past 5 years. What should we do if we are given a target of winning medals, but the athletes do not even have enough live ammunition to shoot?

However, the shooting team did not complain. We have worked extremely hard and have achieved remarkable results so far.

What is the difference between shooting in Vietnam and in developed countries, sir?

School sports system, facilities, training system and athlete resources.

If we continue to cooperate, will you still maintain your working principles?

My principle is to work honestly and honestly, no one is an exception. Recently, I saw an athlete not being serious when preparing for a big tournament and I had to give direct feedback. For me, only hard-working and dedicated athletes are given opportunities.

I am open to both the sport leaders and the athletes, but I will not change my working principles. Sport should not be an exception.

And for those who doubt my ability or expertise, they should ask themselves if they have ever been an athlete, even for just one day? If they have never been an athlete, they will not understand the mindset of an athlete.

What I want is honesty and sincerity. I will consider my decision carefully. If the sports industry needs me, I promise to devote myself.

Thank you for the chat!