Table-tennis star Doan Kien Quoc has decided to stay on with Khanh Hoa after the provincial authorities raised his salary and benefits

Stung into action by a Thanh Nien report, sports authorities of the central Khanh Hoa province have offered better wages and benefits to a table-tennis Olympian who was on the verge of quitting the local club.

“Quoc’s income will increase by VND5-7 million (US$282-395) a month from next month, so his total monthly income will be more than VND10 million ($565),” Deputy Director Nguyen Van Hoa of the province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism told Thanh Nien Friday.

Hoa’s statement came after VinPearl Tourism and Trading Joint-stock Company in the province signed an agreement to sponsor local tennis and table-tennis teams with VND400 million ($22,586) every year.

The money will be given to the athletes based on their achievements.

Soon after the story about Quoc ran on the Wednesday issue of Thanh Nien, the Khanh Hoa Province People’s

Committee urgently worked with Quoc and leaders of the sports sector to address the athlete’s grievances.

The province’s leaders have also decided to grant Quoc special offers including housing, work and education.

Quoc is happy now. “This is the first time I’ve heard encouraging and rewarding decisions directly from the province’s leaders. I am happy to stay and play for my home province.

“I will fly to Hanoi tomorrow to receive the ‘Nation’s Excellent Athlete’ award and practice to prepare for the world table-tennis championship to take place in Japan next month.”

Quoc had written to the Khanh Hoa Province Sports Training Center and the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Tuesday saying the low salary he was being paid and an uncertain future facing him was prompting him to leave the team at the end of the month.

Reported by Nhut Quang