VietNamNet Bridge – Fifty Vietnamese athletes who have suffered from injuries received financial support of VND900 million (US$45,000) from the Fund for Vietnamese Athletes, which was launched yesterday, Jan 5.

The fund, which is sponsored by the cable TV provider Audio Vision Global (AVG), aims to provide injured athletes with money for surgery.

"The first beneficiaries are top athletes and coaches who have performed outstandingly for the country in the past. I hope that the fund will help injured athletes in the future," said the vice chairman and general secretary of the National Olympic Committee, Hoang Vinh Giang.

AVG's chairman, Pham Nhat Vu, said the fund would also help poor and retired athletes.

In 2010, AVG signed a 20-year deal for the Super League television rights with the Viet Nam Football Federation worth VND6 billion ($300,000) per year.

The fund will receive 30 per cent profit from AVG's television rights.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News