Happy for Nhi Yen personally, but sad and regrettable for the country's sports. At the same time, it is also worth pondering for an entire system with questions about the future of athletes.
Between passion and education, Nhi Yen chose the second choice, even though she was successful in her career. The 20-year-old athlete chose a longer, safer path and importantly, he could proactively steer his own destiny. Sports, despite their passion, are often just a short distance. An injury was enough to end his career early. Even if I was lucky enough to continue, my career age could not be extended. At that time, they will face the question: What is next?.
Not everyone has the opportunity or the conditions to start over like Nhi Yen. But it will not be an individual once this decision directly touches the issue of Vietnamese sports: preferential policies and future assurance after competition for athletes.
Football players still have the status of stars to sign large value contracts, or advertise to accumulate, while other sports are unlikely to do so. Either they are top stars, or influential... So if they choose education, it is a less risky path.
Do not blame Nhi Yen, nor others in the future if they leave their sports career when they are young. Because passion is a fire, but to maintain it, we need firewood, space and even protection.
Maintaining talent is not just about increasing benefits. It is necessary to build an ecosystem where athletes practice and compete in parallel with education, have opportunities to develop their careers after retirement, and are considered a part of national assets, not "used for a moment". Otherwise, the country's sports will lose valuable pieces.
In an era where the profession is changing day by day, the problem of Vietnamese sports cannot stop at "calling for medals". It is necessary to train people, with future and assurance, so that their running path does not stop right after crossing the finish line.
