Off and running: Start by Du Hai was the winning photo in the Inspire Sport contest. — File Photo

HA NOI — A photograph capturing competing disabled athletes on Thursday won the top prize at the Inspire Sports contest, launched by the East Meets West (EMW) Foundation and the British Embassy.

The winning image, titled Xuat Phat (Start) was taken by Du Hai, who said that he was moved by the motivation of the disabled athletes in his photographs and admired their incredible will to overcome their troubles.

The award ceremony took place at the opening of an accompanying exhibition, which is taking place at the Vietnamese Women's Museum.

The contest was launched in Ha Noi three months ago as an initiative to empower people with disabilities, and in that time the organising board received over 300 photographs showing various sports.

A network of sports organisations were identified where disabled athletes train and compete under the guidance of trained coaches. Ties were strengthened with these organisations, and photographers documented some of the events for the Inspire Sports contest.

The British Ambassador to Viet Nam, Dr Antony Stokes, said that he highly appreciated the moving photographs and the messages conveyed by their authors.

"Each photo tells a story of success of the disabled," he said, "together, they voice the right that disabled people have to take part in sports and community activities."

The exhibition will run until November 18 at the museum, which is located at 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ha Noi. — VNS