News & Stories
Apr 10, 2025
With hundreds of tournaments blossoming across the country and a passionate community on the rise, it's clear that this dynamic sport has captured the nation’s imagination. But with rapid growth comes growing pains—and a recent incident at the 2025 National Pickleball Championship has sparked an important conversation about sportsmanship, accountability, and the culture we want to build around pickleball in Vietnam.
On March 8, during a tense match in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, athlete Vu Son Tung directed offensive language toward a referee. Though the player later issued a public apology and pledged not to repeat his actions, the lack of formal disciplinary action surprised many within the pickleball community. For a sport that prides itself on respect, fairness, and fun, this incident was a wake-up call.
Many players and fans voiced concerns that without consequences, incidents like this could set a troubling precedent—especially as Vietnamese pickleball looks to elevate its presence on the international stage.
One of the loudest calls for reform came from businessman and pickleball enthusiast Mr. Dang Hong Anh, who recently spoke at the announcement of the Pickleball D-Joy 2025 tournament system and ecosystem development strategy in Ho Chi Minh City.
“I want to contribute ideas to clean up the sport of pickleball,” Mr. Hong Anh said. “Making athletes have to self-evaluate their moral character when competing on the field—only then can they be professional and compete internationally.”
His words struck a chord. With an eye on international standards, Mr. Hong Anh emphasized how inappropriate behavior like Vu Son Tung’s would be swiftly addressed in global competitions.
“If such behavior happened at international tournaments, security forces would quickly intervene, and there would be no need to apologize like the story at the recent national pickleball championship in Vung Tau City,” he explained.
The heart of the issue lies in how tournaments are managed and how player behavior is guided. According to Mr. Hong Anh, resolving conflicts through quiet compromise sets a dangerous tone, allowing poor conduct to go unchecked.
“If tournament organizers continue to resolve problems by conciliating to get things over with, the athlete will continue to behave inappropriately. That is a bad precedent for pickleball in the future.”
As Vietnam’s pickleball ecosystem grows—both in scale and visibility—so too must its code of ethics. Mr. Hong Anh pointed out that with hundreds of tournaments being held annually, both athletes and organizers have the power to shape the sport’s culture.
“Athletes have the right to choose a tournament that suits their level, and the organizing unit also has the right to choose quality athletes with sufficient moral and cultural qualities to compete,” he said.
The controversy didn’t end on the court. After the match, there were reports of the athlete rallying public support online in a provocative manner. Many considered this a misstep, arguing that frustration should be expressed through formal channels—such as written statements, official complaints, or video evidence—rather than stirring public sentiment.
Beyond the individual case, Mr. Hong Anh and others are calling for stronger involvement from club managers, team captains, and coaches. These figures play a critical role in upholding values of respect and responsibility among players. When issues arise, timely intervention by leadership can restore the spirit of sportsmanship and prevent conflict from escalating.
Ultimately, deterrent measures—from warnings and suspensions to bans—are seen as necessary to protect the integrity of the sport. As Mr. Hong Anh put it:
“The form of deterrence from amateur to official tournaments will also contribute to correcting the culture of pickleball players, thereby creating beautiful images in the eyes of fans and international friends about Vietnamese pickleball.”
This moment presents a vital opportunity. Vietnam has the talent, the passion, and the potential to shine on the global pickleball stage. But talent alone isn’t enough. A culture of respect, responsibility, and integrity must lead the way.
The future of Vietnamese pickleball is bright—but only if we commit to growing not just the game, but the values behind it.
