Tennis players Do Minh Quan and Dai Trang on Sunday apologized for having threatened to quit the national team following a disagreement with officials.


“I admit I was wrong to send a letter to the Vietnam Tennis Federation saying I would quit if Le Quoc Khanh and Mai Huynh were not included in the national team,” Quan told Tuoi Tre.

“Now I realize that I should not threaten to leave the national team for whatever reason. I am repentant and promise to make up for the mistake.”

Quan also said he would send a letter of apology to the Vietnam Tennis Federation and the General Department of Sports and Physical Training.

Lam Quang Thanh, deputy chief of the department, said he was pleased that Quan and Trang had repented.

However, some officials have suggested sacking the two players from the national team to play in next month’s SEA Games. Others have even demanded the team’s withdrawal from the event as a punishment.

The national team have been embroiled in disagreement after Khanh publicly accused coach Truong Quoc Bao and the chief of the Directorate of Sports’ tennis department, Doan Quoc Cuong, of being biased against players from Ho Chi Minh City, including Quan and Ngo Quang Huy.

Shortly after, Bao was fired and replaced by Truong Quang Vu.

Khanh said at the end of the Davis Cup last June, he had a vehement argument with Cuong on the parceling out of the VND140 million ($6,700) bonus.

“It was meant for the players but Cuong, who was then head of the Vietnam sports delegation, also demanded a share,” Khanh said.

“Cuong hated me for standing up to him and has now taken revenge by dropping me.”

Tuoi Tre