Vietnam number one female player's funding conflict with billiards federation remains unsolved

Nguyen Hoang Yen Nhi is the number one female three-cushion player in Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Le Phong

Nhi, who won a silver medal at SEA Games 32 and claimed titles at the 2023 and 2024 national championships, made headlines in September by securing a bronze medal at the Three-Cushion World Championship in France. However, following her return, she voiced her dissatisfaction on Facebook, revealing that both she and fellow player Phung Kien Tuong had to cover their own expenses, amounting to around VND55 million ($2,300) for airfare, visas, travel, and food for six days. The World Union of Billiards (UMB) only covered their hotel costs.

Earlier this week, representatives from the VBSF, Department of Culture and Sports of Da Nang, and Yen Nhi had a meeting to discuss the issue. Nhi expressed her frustrations regarding the financial burden and called for greater transparency on athlete funding. However, she stated after the meeting that she did not receive a satisfactory response.

"I'm very disappointed with the VBSF," Nhi said. "I want them to explain why athletes have to pay a VND700,000 membership fee to participate in national tournaments. They claim it is voluntary, but in reality, we cannot compete if we don't pay. This is a tournament for Vietnamese athletes, for non-pro players with the aim to develop the sport."

Regarding her self-funded participation in international competitions, Nhi explained that in the previous two world championships, she did not have to pay as they were included in the plans of her management unit. However, she said VBSF failed to inform local authorities of the world championship this year, leading to her paying for the expenses herself.

"VBSF told me that the Department of Physical Education and Sports did not include the women's world championship in its budget plan for the year. But why didn't the federation notify the local units, provinces, and cities so they could arrange funding for athletes? This showed a lack of responsibility."

Nhi also revealed that during the meeting, VBSF mentioned a certificate of merit for her world bronze medal achievement but has yet to arrange a time to present it.

"If they truly intended to recognize me, I would have been informed earlier. But for the past month, I haven't been notified until this meeting. I don't need a cash reward, but it feels unfair that I paid out of pocket to compete, brought home a medal, and have yet to receive proper recognition from the federation."

A representative from the VBSF clarified that the meeting was not held to address Nhi's social media comments but to review procedures and plans for sending athletes to competitions.

"If there are any shortcomings, we will address them for the next time," the VBSF representative said.

Regarding the membership fees, VBSF pledged to provide a transparent financial report, ensuring there would be no hidden details.

On Aug. 6, VBSF issued a decision to send a delegation to the Three-Cushion World Championship from Sept. 10 to 12, which included Nhi, Tuong, and team leader Nguyen Viet Hoa. The decision stated that "the delegation's expenses are arranged by the athletes management units," referring to Da Nang City for Nhi and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province for Tuong.

VBSF general secretary Doan Tuan Anh explained that the process involves VBSF confirming the participants and UMB extending an invitation to the tournament. He added that VBSF had communicated with the athletes that no financial support would be provided by the federation and that the athletes or their management units would need to cover the costs.

"Only after both sides agree, do we make the decision to send athletes to the tournament," Anh said.

Due to Department of Culture and Sports of Da Nang operating under state regulations, funding plans must be made at the beginning of the year, which was not done in this case.

In many sports, including billiards, players often rely on local government budgets or personal funds to participate in competitions or use prize money or sponsorships to cover expenses. Meanwhile, many federations only have enough funding to maintain basic operations.