[Vnbiz] Coach Riedl resigns

[Tran Dinh Hoanh]

Dear brother Chinh & CACC,

Here is a piece on a working session of the Vietnam soccer authorities,
analyzing the reasons for Vietnam's loss at SeaGAMES 24.  Here is something
that caught my eyes--the vice director of Vietnam Footbal Federation said: "
*chúng ta phải thấy nhục, phải biết xấu hổ khi đội nhà bị Singapore tra tấn
rồi ghi liên tiếp 5 bàn vào lưới."  (*We have to feel dishonored (or
ashamed) when we are beaten by Singapore five goals in a row).

I seriously feel that the sport authorities of Vietnam (especially the
soccer authorities) completely miss the spirit of sports (as brother Shandon
said previously).  One should never feel ashamed or dishonored when one
loses a sport game; conversely one should not feel superior or arrogant when
winning a sport game.  Sports are for (1) our own health and (2) for
friendship.  Losing or winning, you gain your health and friendship.  There
is NEVER dishonor in losing a sport game.  During the late '68, the US and
China used pingpong to build US-China political relationship (which had been
very cold during the Cold War).  Sport is for health, fun and relationship.

I am afraid that the sport leadership of Vietnam doesn't understand this
point.  In soccer, they allowed rampant match-fixing and cheating as a way
to make their own money.  When losing a big game, they immediately fired
their own coach, without one word of thank-you.  And now they talk about
dishonored from losing a game.

And why am I concerned about this?  Because I have always talked about
sports as a great way to educate ourselves and our children.  Sports make us
healthy, helps us understand that "friendly competition" means, helps us
build friendship with our neighbors and with other countries around the
world.  Sport is always a happy thing. I do Ju Jitsu, and if you want to go
into the ring with me, I am always happy to do it.  If I beat you, I have a
great time; if you beat me, I still have a great time. Winning or losing has
nothing to do with my state of mind (other than showing me some nice moves
from you that I don't know yet).  This is not my own thinking; it is the
thinking of Vietnam's great martial arts tradition.  But people in the
soccer authorities have made sport a very stressful game full of cheating
and head-chopping and disloyalty.

That explains why Vietnam children are so afraid of competition--whenever
they lose a game, their friends and parents are ready to make them feel
worthess and dishonored, instead of saying:  "Wow, that was a very good
game, I enjoy watching it. You did a very good job.  Hope you have better
luck next time"
I really believe in sportsmanship. It is a wonderful way to produce great
citizens.  Our citizens will be great if they have great sportsmanship in
business, in economics, in politics.

Sport is education, where we learn friendship, teamwork, loyalty,
leadership, etc.  Are we looking at our sports that way?

Have a great day!

Hoanh
On Dec 21, 2007 7:37 PM, bachinh nguyen <nguyenbachinh at gmail.com> wrote:

> [ Vietnam Business Forum ]
>
>
> hi A Hoanh,
>
> Well, it is not surprising to see Riedl go. He is the face of the show and
> has always been construed at the helm of the game or rather the football
> discourse, whereas the Government and related entities are subtly and
> discursively constructed or to a much less extent than him, Mr. Visible.
>
> So, the Visible has to go.
>
> Cheers
> Chinh
> --
> Tran Dinh Hoanh, Esq., LLB, JD
> Washington DC
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