Midfielder Ta suspended for on-field violence

Ninh Binh's midfielder Dinh Van Ta has been suspended for five matches and fined VND15 million (US$700) for his violence last weekend.

Ta hit Danny David with a kung fu-style kick while they were vying for the ball in a match between Ninh Binh and Dong Tam Long An.

David fell unconscious with multiple injuries and was sent to hospital immediately. After tests were conducted, doctors said that he would be okay soon and would return to play this weekend.

Ta's punishment means that he can return to the field only after the 11th round of the V-League in early April. –

Samsung sending four Vietnamese kids to Chelsea summer camp

Four outstanding young Vietnamese footballers will be chosen to join the Samsung – Chelsea summer camp in the U.K to rub shoulders with football stars like John Terry, Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres.

Organizers will open registration until May to pick 180 kids who have a passion for football, sporting spirit and self motivation aged between 9 and 14 nationwide.

The 180 children will gather at Hoa Lu Stadium in HCMC’s District 1 to undergo a training course under five Chelsea coaches from March 15-16.

Four finalists who successfully pass the course will fly to England in May to meet their idols and watch Chelsea at their Stamford Bridge Stadium home and compete with kids on Chelsea’s books.

In 2007, Samsung joined hands with Chelsea to conduct summer camps for football-mad kids from around the world.

In 2013, the program was officially named Dream the Blues and involved 6,500 kids worldwide. This year, the program is held in Vietnam, China, Russia and Colombia.

Detailed information can be found at www.samsung.com/vn/traihesamsungchelsea.

Student taekwondo tourney concludes in Thai Nguyen

The 5th Vietnam National Student Taekwondo Championship concluded in the northern mountainous province of Thai Nguyen on February 18.

Nearly 230 fighters from 11 provinces nationwide took part in hundreds of matches in various categories from fighting to single and group demonstrations.

Students from primary, secondary and high schools competed separately and followed the current rules of the World Taekwondo Federation.

The Hanoi team was the winner at the high school level.

The annual tourney was organised by the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, the Vietnam Taekwondo Federation, and the Thai Nguyen Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.-

Bao, Dung claim chess titles

Nguyen Thanh Bao from Ha Noi triumphed in the men's event at the National Chinese Chess Championships's blitz event in Vung Tau City on Sunday, while Dam Thi Thuy Dung of HCM City took the women's title in the face of fierce competition, said organisers.

Nearly 70 players from Ha Noi, HCM City, Binh Duong, Binh Dinh and Ba Ria-Vung Tau are taking part in the nine-day tournament's standard event which will wrap up next Monday.

HN to host children's chess comp

A two-day Blitz and Rapid Chess Open will officially kick off in Ha Noi on Saturday for youngsters aged from five to 11, according to the organisers

The Viet Nam Chess Federation and the Ha Noi Sports and Physical Training Centre are holding the event to promote chess among young people and find the best minds to compete at national and international tournaments this year.

The event will also include an open tournament for players of all ages.