Journalist (J): Hello, firstly I want to congratulate you and the team on winning the Basketball League for High School Students in Hanoi recently. How do you feel about this victory?

Tri Tam: Thank you for your congratulation. Our success in the Basketball League for High School Students in Hanoi recently is a totally deserving gift for the efforts of the team members together with beliefs and expectations of everyone, enthusiastic supports from our teachers and friends,… It can be said that this victory is extremely important for not only the team but also our school, especially when we have been waiting for this for 4 years!

Hanoi-Amsterdam Basketball Team received the Champion medals in the Basketball League for High School Students in Hanoi in 2013

J: According to you, what are the factors that contribute to this success?

Tri Tam: Firstly, the team’s ability is the most important. Hanoi – Amsterdam High School has a long basketball tradition and develops year after year. There are always many students registering for the team and they have to deal with a lot of difficult recruitment processes to form a superior team. Therefore, in general, our team is quite strong.

Another important factor is the support and advices from our team predecessors, which are very precious. Furthermore, our team is also united, attached and unanimous. Everyone all desired to win.

We also need to truly thank for spectator’s cheers from the stage, especially for Cheers Team. In almost every competition, we could hear their enthusiastic cheers and support, which are  huge motives for the team’s victory.

J: Can you give us general comments on the team members?

Tri Tam: Our school’s team includes many various components, but body forms are generally quite small. However, our technique is mainly based on minds rather than on muscles. Because of small body frames, we are very fast and flexible while playing and know how to transform weaknesses into advantages.

J: Can you tell us the roots of your passion for basketball?

Tri Tam: May be it started when I studied in Hanoi-Amsterdam secondary school. That time, I felt very lucky because my class was near a basketball yard. I admired basketball team members, who both played and studied well. I’ve practiced and joined the team since I was in grade 7. I felt my potentials and the passion developed when my predecessors dedicatedly taught me.

Captain Nguyen Nhan Tri Tam took picture with the previous Captain as well as School Secretary (05-08) Tran Quang Hung

J: A funny question, if you want to choose between basketball and love, which will be your answer?

Tri Tam: I will choose basketball (smiled). To be more precise, I will choose comradeship – the precious feeling which I have during the progress of practice and competition. Basketball is passion but comradeship is actually the most precious gift I as well as the team members get when coming to this passion.

J: It is said that recently you have chosen Do Anh Minh (11IT) to be the next Basketball Team Captain. Why do you think he fits this position?

Tri Tam: I feel that Minh has every potential to be the next Basketball Team Captain. I highly appreciate Minh’s ability. Moreover, I also have huge expectation and faith in Minh. Everyone and I always encourage Minh a lot to fulfill his new duty.

The new Hanoi-Amsterdam Basketball Team Captain – Do Anh Minh (the outermost to the left)

Thank you for the interview. Wish you be more successful in your study as well as basketball passion!

Author: Bao Hien (RE 12-15)

Translator: Kieu Thuy An (A2 11-14)