Unsportsmanlike Conduct Costs Vietnam Player: National Ban Rocks Pickleball Club
What's the Score?
The Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Pickleball Club has banned athlete Vu Son Tung from competing in any of its organized tournaments until the end of 2025 due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the 2025 National Pickleball Championship. The ban is a result of Tung's heated confrontation with a referee supervisor and inappropriate language used after a match loss. While neither the national organizing committee nor the Department of Sports and Physical Training has issued official sanctions, the club has taken an independent stance to uphold sportsmanship among young business leaders.
Hit it deeper!
In a move that has generated discussion within Vietnam’s burgeoning pickleball community, the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Pickleball Club has officially announced a competition ban for athlete Vu Son Tung. The club's decision prohibits Tung from registering to compete in any pickleball tournaments organized by the Vietnam Young Businessmen's Pickleball Club and local young businessmen's pickleball clubs from the date of the decision (March 12, 2025) until the end of 2025. The reason cited for this ban is Tung’s unsportsmanlike conduct during the 2025 National Pickleball Championship held in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. According to the club, Tung’s behaviour was "unprofessional" and negatively impacted the sportsmanship of the event.
The controversy stems from an incident that occurred after Vu Son Tung lost a match at the national championship. Reportedly frustrated with the officiating, the athlete, who is based in Hai Phong, engaged in a heated exchange with the referee supervisor, criticizing the lack of intervention in a dispute over a line call. Tensions further escalated when Tung raised concerns about a disruptive fan during the match. After officials declined to remove the spectator, Son Tung reacted by using inappropriate language, an incident that was captured on video and widely shared across online pickleball forums, sparking varied reactions regarding officiating standards and athlete conduct.
Despite the heightened emotions surrounding the incident, the organizing committee of the national championship promptly held a meeting with all involved parties, aiming for a collaborative resolution. The tone of the meeting was described as conciliatory, with a focus on learning and fostering growth within the community. Vu Son Tung reportedly admitted that his response was inappropriate, attributing it to emotional frustration. The referee supervisor, in turn, acknowledged that there was room for improvement in officiating. Ultimately, the matter was peacefully resolved at the tournament level, and Son Tung was allowed to continue competing. As of the time of the article, neither the national organizing committee for the championship nor the Department of Sports and Physical Training had issued any formal disciplinary sanctions against Vu Son Tung. According to Mr. Mac Xuan Tung, head of the pickleball division at the department, the incident had been resolved at the tournament, and the department would report it to the Department of Sports and Physical Training.
However, the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Pickleball Club decided to take an independent stance on the matter. The club emphasized that its events are specifically designed to promote high standards of sportsmanship and camaraderie among young business leaders through their shared interest in pickleball. Launched in February 2025 in Hanoi, the club serves as a national platform for young entrepreneurs to network, stay active, and share their passion for the sport. At the launch event, Chairman Nguyen Van Thu outlined ambitious plans for 2025, including hosting quarterly pickleball tournaments and events across various provinces and cities to strengthen connections within the entrepreneurial community. The club’s decision to bar Vu Son Tung underscores a broader commitment to cultivating a respectful and inclusive pickleball environment in Vietnam. As pickleball continues its rapid growth in the region, so too does the expectation for players, referees, and organizers to uphold the values of fair play, mutual respect, and positive community spirit. This incident serves as a significant reminder that while emotions can run high during competition, the way individuals respond, learn, and move forward is crucial in shaping the future of the sport in Vietnam. As Vietnam’s pickleball scene evolves, so does the standard of professionalism expected both on and off the court.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Pickleball Club's decision to ban Vu Son Tung highlights the growing importance of sportsmanship and conduct within the rapidly expanding global pickleball community. While the national sporting authorities chose not to impose further sanctions after the incident at the National Championship was resolved, the club's independent action demonstrates a commitment to upholding its own standards of behaviour, particularly among its members who are also business leaders. This stance sends a clear message about the values the club wishes to promote within its community. The incident and the subsequent ban serve as a reminder that as pickleball gains popularity and becomes more competitive, issues of player conduct and respect for officials will need to be addressed proactively. The club's focus on fostering a respectful and inclusive environment is crucial for the long-term health and positive image of the sport in Vietnam. This case could also serve as a precedent for other organizations to define and enforce their own codes of conduct, ensuring a positive and respectful atmosphere within their respective pickleball communities.