In the history of Vietnamese Revolutionary Journalism, Lao Dong is not a sports-specialized newspaper. But just like sports creeping into social life, present in each neighborhood, factory, construction site, the mark of Lao Dong with Vietnamese sports is formed in a less noisy but persistent way. Not by bustling campaigns, but by continuous presence, from newspaper pages to playgrounds, from information to action, from grassroots movements to efforts to connect with high-performance sports.
Labor is not outside the flow of Vietnamese sports but is truly a part of it, especially in the cross-section associated with workers, civil servants, and laborers. Where sports does not place heavy emphasis on medals, but starts from the need to exercise and the desire to improve spiritual life.
From amateur playgrounds to the imprint of organizing tournaments
The mark of Lao Dong Newspaper on Vietnamese Sports probably began in the 1980s, when the newspaper not only performed the task of information, but also directly participated in organizing events. The national strong team volleyball tournament named Lao Dong Newspaper was born in the context of the country still facing many difficulties, but quickly became a prestigious playground.
What is worth mentioning is not only the scale of the tournament but also the way a press agency steps out of the paper to participate in sports life in a substantive way. From coordinating with sports management agencies, awarding cups, sponsoring prizes, to connecting with host localities, Lao Dong has contributed to shaping a model in which the press is an organizing entity, in addition to the role of reporting.
When volleyball is one of the most popular sports, the appearance of the tournament named Lao Dong Newspaper has contributed to nurturing and spreading the spirit of sportsmanship, especially among the labor force. Having to stop due to financial difficulties is regrettable, but the mark is still there, as evidence of the proactive role of the press in sports development.
2 decades later, when conditions permitted, efforts were continued. In 2004, the Volleyball Tournament for officials, civil servants, and laborers was restored, marking the return of a familiar playground. Along with that, the Badminton Tournament for workers, civil servants, and laborers organized by Lao Dong Newspaper in coordination with relevant agencies quickly created a spreading effect. The special point is not simply the number of participants but in the fact that the badminton tournament was included in the official competition system. This shows a clear direction, when mass sports are not separated from high-performance sports, but can become a foundation for long-term development.
In addition to organizing tournaments, Lao Dong also participates in creating motivation for Vietnamese Sports. The "Vietnamese Strength" Award Fund is built to encourage athletes to achieve high results at SEA Games 22, showing a different approach of the press. Both reflecting the success of Vietnamese sports and contributing to creating conditions for that success to be recognized and spread.
Efforts like the 2003 International Boxing Championships are also a testament. In a context where many sports have not received due attention, bringing them closer to the public raises the issue of development.
On the newspaper, sports have also gradually found their place. From football news that appeared in the 1960s, to the late 1990s, sports have become a significant content segment. It is worth mentioning that readers themselves have contributed to shaping the direction, reminding that they should not be too dependent on football, but need to expand to other sports, especially mass sports among workers and civil servants.
Accompanying in the new era
Now that the world has developed, Vietnamese Sports is gradually growing stronger and facing bigger goals, the role of the press has also changed. With Lao Dong Newspaper, companionship is no longer limited to providing complete, timely, and accurate information, but needs to aim to create value.
In an environment where sports information is increasingly dense, the value is both speed and depth. Sports is no longer heavily focused on narration but needs to be placed in a broader context, from training mechanisms, development environment, to management and investment issues. Lao Dong, with the advantage of a socio-political newspaper, can connect these factors, helping readers see a more comprehensive picture of Vietnamese Sports.
From a movement perspective, the role of Labor needs to maintain its core meaning. Sports among workers, civil servants, and laborers transcend the entertainment factor to become a part of life, associated with health, productivity and quality of life. Spreading good models, real stories, can create a chain reaction effect, where an individual inspires the collective and community, thereby creating a movement.
This is also where the press can play a "activating" role. Sometimes just a story told correctly, a role model recognized properly, is enough to create change. When sports become a natural part of workers' lives, that is the solid foundation.
From another perspective, Lao Dong can also participate in orienting the development of Vietnamese Sports. The problem of diversifying sports, reducing dependence on football, or improving training quality, all need the voice of the media. Not by imposing but creating interest, through stories persuasive enough for the public and managers to look in the same direction.
The role of criticism cannot be ignored in the context of increasingly professionalized sports. Issues of mechanisms, finance, and the rights of athletes and coaches will become increasingly complex. At that time, the press should not only be an observer, but also need to become a channel of truthful reflection, contributing to protecting core values.
In the era of national rise, physical and mental health is valued. Sports need to be properly recognized by society and invested more in. On that journey, Lao Dong Newspaper is part of a companion system.
