In love with Vietnam

Choi Ju Young, a rehabilitation expert for Vietnamese footballers

As an experienced sports health expert in South Korea, Choi Ju Young came to Vietnam in April to take care of the national football team players. Teaming up with coach Park Hang Seo, Choi Ju Young was with the Vietnamese squad at the recent regional competitions, including Asian Cup 2018, AFF Suzuki Cup 2018, King’s Cup 2019, the 2020 AFC U23 Championship qualification and the 2022 World Cup qualification.
Before working in Vietnam, Choi worked with South Korea’s national football teams for nearly 20 years. He also worked at hospitals and taught at universities in South Korea.

“Working here at the proposal of coach Park Hang Seo was not an easy choice for me after nearly 10 years parting with the football field. I find that many people in Vietnam are interested in sports health. I want to work with and support them on and off the field. In other words, I want to improve the expertise in sports health in Vietnam,” Choi said.

Choi found that the physical foundations and facilities for sports health are still limited in Vietnam. He brought with him the equipment and facilities necessary for his work.

In addition to the methods which have proven effective through practice, Choi has developed new methods. He has applied effective treatment and rehabilitation methods to many players of the national team. They include Tuan Anh, Van Hau, Van Thanh, Ha Duc Chinh, Trong Hoang and Van Quyet who have recovered nicely. Particularly, Tuan Anh received treatment in South Korea for six months under Choi’s rehabilitation program. After his treatment, Tuan Anh returned to the football field and showed an impressive performance as a player of the national football team. Choi is currently giving treatment to Dinh Trong and Van Duc.


Health expert Choi Ju Young has made silent contributions to the success of Vietnamese football teams. Photo: Tat Son


Choi gives treatment to football players at PVF Football Academy. Photo: Tat Son


Choi gives intensive rehabilitation exercises to midfielder Tran Dinh Trong of the national team at PVF Football Academy. Photo: Tat Son


He gives treatment to Phan Van Duc of the national team who suffers from a ligament tear. Photo: Tat Son


With players at a match of the national football team. Photo: Thanh Giang


With coach Park Hang Seo. Photo: Thanh Giang


Giving medical aid to players at a match in the 2022 World Cup qualification. Photo: Thanh Giang


Coach Park Hang Seo is confident in giving Choi Ju Young the responsibility of taking care of the players’ health. Photo: Thanh Giang


With the coaching board of the national football team at the flag ceremony before a match. Photo: Thanh Giang
 
 “The players’ mind-set is important in the treatment process, particularly for those suffering injuries which must receive long-term treatment. I always keep an optimistic spirit and show my fervor to the players to whom I am giving treatment. I also spend a lot of time talking with them to keep their spirits up,” Choi said.

Apart from treating injuries for football players in Vietnam, Choi also proposes to send Vietnamese players to South Korea for treatment because he has many contacts there.

“The treatment and rehabilitation for players will grow together with the development of Vietnam’s football and sports health. Although I have not been in Vietnam very long, I expect that my contributions will help improve treatment methods for Vietnam’s sports health,” Choi Ju Young said.
Story: Ngan Ha & Minh Thu - Photos: Tat Son &Tran Thanh Giang

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