Hanoi elderly people take on croquet
A sport which used to be popular in several European countries has brought joys and health for lots of elderly people in Hanoi.
Croquet is being widely played in many areas in Hanoi suburbs. As one of a few outdoor sports in which ladies can compete on an equal footing with men, croquet has attracted many elderly couples as well as their friends playing together.
Old people in Xuan Son and Xuan Bach villages in Hanoi's Soc Son District gather at 2 pm every day to play the game. They said that croquet is not only a sport but a joy and passion to them.
The sport's rules seem quite simple as players are divided into two teams with five each and play on a 200-square-metre court. They use mallets to hit their balls through three hoops and a centre peg and push competitors' balls out of the court.
According to a player here, the sport has simple rules and does not require much strength so it is very suitable for elderly people. Some players in his team are now over 80 years old.
Attentively follow the game
87-year-old Nguyen Thi Mon said she has been playing the sport for around 20 years. She is one of the best players with the highest number of successful hits. She said that the sport helps them keep fit and connect with one another.
In Xuan Bach Village, each team has 16 players. They play the game every day and sometimes hold competitions with teams in neighbouring villages.
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