On the sidelines of the football field: Preserving beautiful childhood memories.
On the afternoon of June 10th, there were matches whose results no longer held much significance from a professional standpoint. However, even in those seemingly purely formal matches, there were still some beautiful and memorable moments.
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On the afternoon of August 10th, in the group stageFootball LeagueIn the Nghe An Newspaper and Radio & Television Cup for Youth and Children, there were matches where the results held little professional significance. Some teams were certain to be eliminated regardless of whether they won or lost. However, in those seemingly formality matches, there were some of the most beautiful and memorable moments.
For the Tam Hop Children's team, the coaching staff identified this as an opportunity for the players to fully enjoy the joy of football. "We don't focus on winning or losing. This is a match for the children to freely express themselves, without pressure about the score. Therefore, the coaching staff decided to give all the reserve players a chance to play. And when they have fought their best, whatever the result, everyone will be satisfied," shared coach Hoang Ngoc Nho.
With no more pressure about scores or securing a place in the next round, the young players compete with the most carefree and relaxed mindset.
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At the Youth Stadium, the Thien Nhan team also delivered an emotional match on their farewell day. What was special was that Thien Nhan's starting lineup this time consisted mainly of reserve players who rarely had the opportunity to play. After the first half, when some regular starters asked to come on, the coaching staff encouraged them: "You've all played a lot already, let them play freely today. Don't worry, everyone will get a chance to play."
Throughout the match, the coaches offered words of encouragement, praise, and motivation to the players. The fans also cheered enthusiastically and joyfully. In return, the players delivered an emotionally charged match, giving their all until the very last minute.
Those teams may not have advanced to the next round. But in the final match of the tournament, the children achieved something more important than the result: the joy of being on the field, playing football with their teammates, and creating another beautiful childhood memory.
Little-known facts about a "mixed-race player"
Not many people know that Phạm Bảo An (Yên Thành Children's team) is a Vietnamese-Chinese mixed-race boy. His parents separated, and Bảo An lived with his maternal grandmother, who took the place of his mother in caring for and raising him.
When talking about her grandson, Mrs. Dang Thi Van – Bao An's maternal grandmother – lights up with pride. Bao An is an intelligent boy with excellent academic achievements and a special talent for sports. In the 2025-2026 school year, this young athlete won 11 Certificates of Merit and awards in various subjects. These include First Prize at the provincial level in the Internet English Olympiad (IOE), a Consolation Prize at the HKIMO International Mathematical Olympiad national round, and Second Prize in the VioEdu district-level competition... In the field of sports, he won a Gold Medal in the 50m freestyle and a Bronze Medal in the 50m breaststroke at the Nghe An Provincial Club Championship in 2025...
To nurture her grandson's passion for sports, his grandmother almost entirely devoted her time to accompanying him in swimming lessons, football practice, martial arts training, and more. What impressed many even more was that Bao An's house was nearly 28km from the training ground. The winding mountain roads made travel difficult, but for many years, his grandmother consistently took him to the field, rain or shine.
Sharing his thoughts about Bao An and her grandmother, the coach of the Yen Thanh Children's team said: "We greatly admire the two of them. Their house is the furthest from the team's training ground, 28km away, along winding mountain roads, making it difficult, but they always arrive on time. Bao An's grandmother is also an enthusiastic and responsible parent to the team, so despite her age, she was trusted and elected as the team's president."
When asked about the secret to her success in both academics and sports, Bao An replied: "Because of my grandmother. She always takes me to school and to training and encourages me to try my best. I want to do everything well to make her happy."
The 28km journey that Bao An and her grandmother travel every day is not just a trip to the training ground, but also a journey of love and affection.hopeIt is entrusted to the future.
From goalposts to a passion for technology
Youth and Children's Football TournamentNewspaper CupNghe An's radio and television are not only venues for football teams to compete, but also platforms that help many young talents be discovered and grow. For Tran Tung Lam, the goalkeeper of the Con Cuong commune youth team, that journey is even more special as he participates in the tournament while simultaneously pursuing his passion for exploring the world of technology.
It is known that on June 9th, Tung Lam simultaneously participated in the Provincial Youth Informatics Competition and excellently won first prize. Pursuing two goals at the same time is not easy for a student. The pressure of time, commuting, and balancing studies with sports sometimes makes him quite stressed.
However, thanks to his proactive time management and unwavering determination to pursue his passions, the goalkeeper of the Con Cuong commune youth team successfully completed both tasks. Sharing about this journey, Tung Lam said: "From winning first prize in the provincial youth informatics competition, I will try even harder and strive my best in this football tournament."
The achievements of today are the result of years of hard work. In 2025, Tung Lam won second prize in category R1 at the final round of the 5th National Robotics Innovation Competition. In addition, he has maintained his excellent academic record for four consecutive years.
Sharing her daughter's journey of effort, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang said: "Our family is very happy and proud that our daughter had the opportunity to experience and test herself in both competitions. We always support her passion and are grateful to her teacher for always teaching and creating the best conditions for her."
The goalpost is where Tung Lam learned to be confident in the face of shots. Technology is where he learned to persevere in the face of challenges. Two different journeys, but they meet at a common point: the effort of a student who is growing and maturing day by day.
