Man behind regional success of Vietnamese sports dies

Giang, 75, a national track and field champion in his time, made one of the biggest contributions to Vietnam’s sports development.

While serving as director of Hanoi Sports Department, he helped with the training of a generation of athletes in wushu, track and field, taekwondo, judo, wrestling, boxing, and fencing that won Vietnam positive results in the regional arena, including the biggest medal tally at SEA Games 22 in 2003, the first time the tournament was hosted in Vietnam.

Fluent in English, Chinese, Russian and French, he also acted as a diplomat for Vietnamese sports.

He also played a big role in helping Vietnam get selected as host for 2009 Asian Indoor Games and 2016 Asian Beach Games.

In 2006, he was appointed Hero of Labor, the highest title of honor in Vietnam given to individuals or collectives with outstanding achievements in labor.

Tran Van Manh, General Secretary of Vietnam Olympic Committee, said Giang died while taking a nap at his home in Hanoi.

He suffered diabetes and cardiovascular conditions in recent years, but still maintained management roles at the Olympic Committee.

He was preparing to attend a meeting with the Olympic Council of Asia on Monday.

Le Thi Hoang Yen, deputy director of Vietnam Sports Administration, said: "The standing of Vietnamese sports today is the legacy of Hoang Vinh Giang. His passing is a big loss to national sports."