Thu Dau Mot city creates momentum for grassroots cultural development

Serving the local political mission while contributing to the cultural, recreational, and sports needs of the people in the area is the goal of the Cultural Centers, Sports - Community Learning Centers in the wards of Thu Dau Mot city. Therefore, the effective operation of these cultural and sports facilities has always been a concern of Thu Dau Mot city, from investment and construction to management and organization of activities.

People are exercising and playing sports in the premises of the Cultural Centers, Sports - Community Learning Center in Phu Loi ward

Building interest

In Thu Dau Mot city, there are currently 6 out of 14 wards that have been invested in the construction of Cultural Centers, Sports - Community Learning Centers using the city's budget, including Phu Loi, Dinh Hoa, Phu My, Tan An, Hiep An, and Phu Cuong. These centers have been newly built and are quite complete in terms of infrastructure. Most of the centers have various facilities such as multipurpose halls, reading rooms, outdoor stages, sports fields, children's play areas, administrative offices, cultural and artistic activity rooms, etc. In addition, each center is equipped with additional equipment such as computers, tables, chairs, children's toys, and other sports equipment.

According to Phan Huu Nghia, Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Thu Dau Mot city, the Cultural Centers, Sports - Community Learning Centers in the wards have effectively utilized the functions of the multipurpose halls, stadiums, cultural and artistic activity rooms, and outdoor stages. In addition to organizing activities to serve the local political mission, every year, these centers also organize sports activities, cultural and artistic exchanges to celebrate the Party and the New Year, on holidays and anniversaries throughout the year to partially meet the recreational and health needs of the people.

In an interview with us, Nguyen Hong Nam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu My ward, said that after receiving the centers from the city, there was almost nothing in terms of infrastructure. Therefore, the ward has carried out renovations to organize activities and create playgrounds for the people. In addition to the 11-a-side football field, the center also attracts additional clubs such as football, martial arts, lion dance, ceremonial music teams... for regular activities. Many local residents also regularly come here to participate in physical exercise and sports training.

To maximize the effectiveness of their operations, the Cultural Centers, Sports - Community Learning Centers in the wards also implement social investment to add infrastructure to the centers. For example, the Cultural Centers, Sports - Community Learning Centers in Phu Loi Ward have effectively implemented social linkages. The ward's People's Committee has mobilized philanthropists to support the installation of a wifi system at the center for people to use and access the internet for free during their activities and training. The Cultural Centers, Sports - Community Learning Centers in Dinh Hoa, Tan An, and Hiep An wards have also called for investors to participate in the construction of swimming pools at the centers.

Many difficulties need to be overcome

Introduced by friends, taking advantage of picking up his daughter after school, Do Dinh Thanh, in Tan An ward, took his daughter to the Cultural Center, Sports - Community Learning of Phu Loi ward to register for Vovinam martial arts class. While waiting for the teacher in charge to come and register for his daughter, Thanh had the opportunity to observe the surroundings and made the observation that the center has a fairly spacious space, but the facilities seem to be deteriorating due to lack of care. "If attention is given to renovating and maintaining the facilities, regularly cleaning and enhancing promotion of activities through various channels to reach more people, then this will be a beneficial public activity place for everyone," Thanh expressed.

The observation made by Thanh is also one of the limitations in the process of managing and organizing activities at other Cultural Centers, Sports - Community Learning Centers in the wards. According to the assessment of Phan Huu Nghia, the effectiveness of the service activities of the city's cultural and sports facilities, including the Cultural Center, Sports - Community Learning Centers in the basic wards, has met the needs of cultural and sports enjoyment, serving the spiritual needs of the people in the area. However, there are still many difficulties in investing in equipment at the 6 Cultural Centers, Sports - Community Learning Centers in the wards. The Cultural Centers, Sports - Community Learning Centers in the wards need to supplement facilities such as sports training equipment, children's play areas.

In order to improve the effectiveness of the Cultural Centers, Sports - Community Learning Centers in the wards, according to Phan Huu Nghia, specific solutions are needed. Localities must proactively adhere to Resolution No. 22-NQ/TU dated November 9, 2022 of the Party Committee of Thu Dau Mot city on strengthening the leadership of the Party Committee in the task of developing culture, arts, physical education, and sports associated with tourism development in Thu Dau Mot City in the 2022-2025 period, with a vision towards 2030, and Plan No. 92/KH-UBND dated May 4, 2023 of the People's Committee of the city on the implementation of the above resolution.

"The People's Committees of the 14 wards need to proactively develop practical and effective plans for the operation of the Cultural Centers, Sports - Community Learning Centers, maintain regular organization of activities such as cultural exchanges, artistic performances, sports competitions within and outside the locality; establish libraries to serve all classes of people; maintain the effectiveness of reading activities. Localities should also regularly organize activities for interest clubs, teams, groups, organize talent classes, specialized exhibitions, film screenings, and recreational and sports activities," Nghia said.

Reported by Hong Thuan – Translated by Vi Bao