Father Joseph Pham Huu Quang attends soccer practice sessions on July 18 Monday and Friday afternoons at Tay Loc stadium in Thua Thien Hue province.
Father Quang, who has to ride a motorbike to the state-run stadium 30 kilometres from his Son Qua parish, is at the ground regular as clockwork, wearing football boots and a blue strip, talking with other priests before their 90-minute practice sessions.
“We do some warm-up, stretching and leg exercises for a while and then learn the skills necessary to run and control, pass, shoot and head balls,” he said, adding that these are essential to promote physical health, reduce injuries and play well.
The 38-year-old priest, who plays in midfield, said in the early days of practice he fell and sprained his knee dodging a pass that was about to touch his left hand. He was a bit discouraged because of the pain, and it took him a few days to recover.
“I have since gained practical experience to confidently over-come light injuries,” said the priest, who had not played soccer since he left Xuan Bich Major Seminary in Hue in 2016.