VietNamNet Bridge – Many reputed sportsmen are working very hard, but not at sporting halls, to earn their living.

Nguyen Thanh Nam, a member of the national billiards snooker team, is managing a billiards club in Hanoi.

The men’s high-jump champion of 23^rd SEA Games, Duy Bang, is now working as a tennis coach. Bang said his salary is VND 2.5 million (US $147), which is very little for an expensive life in HCM City. Teaching tennis brings about several million dong a month for Bang.

Bang became a tennis trainer by accident. While practicing at the National Sport Training Centre in Hanoi, he had chance to play tennis with members of the national tennis team. After a long time playing tennis, the high-jumper has become a tennis trainer.

Nguyen Thanh Nam, a member of the national billiards snooker team, can live by his main job. Nam is managing a big billiards club in Hanoi. Some other professional billiards and snooker players followed Nam to open their own clubs.

Many famous sportsmen are struggling after saying goodbye to elite sports. Wrestler Le Thi Hue city, who suffered a neck vertebrae injury while practicing for 22^nd SEA Games, is now trying to not become a disabled person.

A former athlete from HCM City, who was the champion of men’s 400 hurdle running, is now a cooking vendor working every night. Another former athlete from Khanh Hoa province, who worked as a professional athlete for 14 years, has just opened a restaurant to earn some more money to support his family.

In Hanoi, three Para Games champions Nhu Thi Khoa, Tran Nguyen Thai and Hoang Hong Kien are earning their living by selling bread or books.

(Source: Dat Viet)