Vietnam's Nguyễn Thị Bích Tuyền begs off from volley world champs
At A Glance
- Top hitter Nguyễn Thị Bích Tuyền has opted to withdraw from the Vietnam national team a few days before the start of FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship in Thailand.
Nguyễn Thị Bích Tuyền (SAVA)
Top hitter Nguyễn Thị Bích Tuyền has opted to withdraw from the Vietnam national team a few days before the start of FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship in Thailand.
Tuyền begged off to participate in the global meet slated Aug. 22 to Sept. 7 due to personal and family reasons which the Volleyball Federation of Vietnam (VFV) and women’s volleyball head coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet have confirmed.
The 25-year-old opposite spiker said new demands from the FIVB made her decide to withdraw as she cited the importance of respect and fairness to players.
“I decided to withdraw not because I didn’t want to compete for my team but because of these new requirements from the FIVB about the player conditions,” Tuyen stressed.
“Sports are not just about competition, they are also about respect and fairness. I feel that these new rules are lacking transparency and fairness to the athletes,” she added. “Every athlete deserves to vie in an environment where respect and equality are upheld.”
It was a big blow for the world No. 22 Vietnam as it was inserted in Pool G alongside No. 3 Poland, No. 11 Germany, and No. 23 Kenya in the tournament that will gather 32 of the best volleyball countries in the world.
Tuyền, one of the potent hitters in Southeast Asia, was a victim of gender scrutiny from the past years as many fans and critics continue to question her sex.
VFV stated that it is ready to welcome Tuyen if she decides to come back again for the SEA Games slated in December.
Tuyen recently anchored the Vietnamese bets over the fancied Thais in five sets to reign supreme in the SEA Women’s V.League Leg 2. There, the Philippines finished with bronze in both legs.