Nghe An, Vietnam, January 22, 2025: The Vietnam Olympic Committee attended the launch ceremony of the “Community Sport and Health Cooperation Initiative” in Nghe An Province on Monday, January 20.
The project was launched by PATH – the international, non-profit global health organisation – in collaboration with the Nghe An Department of Education and Training, and comes under the umbrella three-year technical cooperation agreement signed by the IOC Olympism365 and World Health Organization.
The “Community Sport and Health Cooperation Initiative” specifically seeks to enhance public health through increasing participation in community-based sports activities, providing training for sport and health professionals and building capacity in institutions and organisations.
The launch event was hosted by Mr. Bui Dinh Long, Vice Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee, underscoring the province’s commitment to promoting health and sports in the community.
Additionally, the ceremony was attended by leaders from the Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee, the Nghe An Department of Health, the Nghe An Department of Education and Training, the Nghe An Department of Culture and Sports, as well as representatives from the People’s Committees of Vinh City and Dien Chau District, along with teachers and students from 10 pilot schools, and PATH.
According to a 2024 WHO report, global physical inactivity rates remain alarmingly high, with 31% of adults being physically inactive, equivalent to 1.8 billion people worldwide. WHO projects that, if current trends continue, global physical inactivity rates could rise to 35% by 2030, affecting 38% of women and 32% of men.
In Vietnam, the situation is equally concerning. Statistics from a recent survey indicates that about a quarter of Vietnamese adults do not engage in sufficient physical activity.
Youth are even less active worldwide and in Vietnam. Globally, 81% of adolescents aged 11–17 years are physically inactive. In Vietnam, only one in four teenagers aged 13 to 17 meet the target of one hour of physical activity a day.
Supported by the Sports Authority of Vietnam and the Vietnam Olympic Committee, the initiative aims to serve as a model for success. There is a similar programme underway in Nepal.
(Source: WHO, Vietnam)
