Chairman Duc and his philosophy of building football from the ground up: Nurturing young talent to reach continental heights.

For over two decades involved with Vietnamese football, HAGL Club Chairman Doan Nguyen Duc (Chairman Duc) has consistently adhered to the philosophy that sustainable development must begin with nurturing talent. For this businessman, youth tournaments are not only playgrounds for young players but also places to cultivate the future of the country's football.

"To be honest, as someone involved in football, I prefer watching youth leagues to the major leagues," Chairman Duc frankly revealed about his unique passion. This preference is not simply a personal preference, but has become a guiding principle throughout his career, setting him apart from the trend of chasing short-term results in the V-League.

Legacy from the HAGL - Arsenal JMG Academy

Chairman Duc's boldest decision was building a foundation from the youth level with the establishment of the HAGL - Arsenal JMG Academy. He didn't hesitate to invest heavily, sending players abroad for six months each year for training. The result of this patience was a "Golden Generation" with names like Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, and Xuan Truong.

This generation of players not only breathed new life into the domestic league but also became a core element in the most successful period of the Vietnamese national teams at all levels on the international stage.

Ambition to internationalize youth football in Gia Lai

Not content with his past successes, Mr. Duc is aiming to elevate Vietnamese youth football beyond its current level. He is nurturing a plan to organize Asian-level youth football festivals right in his hometown of Gia Lai. This is expected to be an international platform giving young players the opportunity to compete against top football nations in the continent.

"Now I've brought that image back to Gia Lai," bầu Đức proudly shared about this landmark plan. His unwavering commitment has earned him great appreciation from the professional community. The President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), Trần Quốc Tuấn, affirmed that bầu Đức is someone who always strives wholeheartedly for the cause of Vietnamese football, even during the most challenging business periods.

Looking back on this long journey, Chairman Duc's message remains incredibly clear: For Vietnamese football to reach greater heights and participate in the world's biggest competitions, protecting and nurturing the "foundation" from the younger generation is essential and irreplaceable.