Meet the initiator of the Youth - Children's Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup
(Baonghean.vn) - Although he has turned 82 years old, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tien is still excited and enthusiastic when talking about the Youth - Children's Football Tournament of Nghe An Newspaper Cup. Because he is one of the founders and initiators of the football tournament for children in his hometown more than 25 years ago.
Meeting Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tien - former Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Newspaper, we were really happy that he still maintained his form and clarity, even though he had passed the age of 80. When we learned that the Youth - Children Football Tournament (TN - ND) Nghe An Newspaper Cup this year was about to restart after 2 years of suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the story about the tournament became more and more exciting.
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| Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tien shared the idea and process of organizing the Youth Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup. Photo: Cong Kien |
“I still remember very clearly, in the summer of 1997, the TN-ND Football TournamentNghe Newspaper CupThe first time An was held, the conditions were not as good as they are now, but it still attracted more than 20 young football teams from districts, cities and towns to compete enthusiastically. The success of the season created a premise and a solid foundation for it to become a traditional tournament, held annually," said Mr. Tien.
As someone who is attached to his hometown, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tien understands better than anyone the difficulties and hardships of the sunny and windy countryside of Nghe An. In the countryside, during the summer vacation, children lack useful playgrounds, often gather and organize dangerous games, which can lead to injuries, affecting their health and lives.
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| Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tien reviews the photo of the Opening Ceremony of the first Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament (1997). Photo: Cong Kien |
Therefore, he always cherished the desire to organize a useful activity for children and teenagers on the occasion ofSummer vacation, helping the children have memorable summers. After thinking it over, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tien realized that organizing a football tournament for children was the most reasonable. Because Nghe An is a rural area with a tradition of football, most children love this "king" sport, everywhere there are fields for practice...
The tournament will be a useful and healthy playground for students during the summer vacation, and also an opportunity for them to exercise, enhance communication, learn, and build solidarity. At the same time, it will help professional football people in the province discover football talents to train and nurture them to become successful players.playerprofessional, contributing to the football development of Nghe An and the whole country.
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| Opening ceremony of the first Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament (1997). Photo: NVCC |
In 1997, while holding the position of Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tien proposed the idea of organizing a football tournament for children and was immediately supported by his colleagues. Especially, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thu, at that time Director of the Department of Physical Education and Sports, enthusiastically created conditions for the tournament to be implemented soon.
After completing the tournament charter, as Head of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Tien sent an official dispatch requesting localities to establishteamTN and ND football teams organized training sessions to participate in the tournament. The first time it was organized, despite many difficulties, districts, cities and towns actively responded to the tournament; going to villages and hamlets to recruit players, sending experienced coaches to train physical strength and instruct technical and tactical skills for young players.
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| The Youth Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup is increasingly receiving attention from all levels and sectors, creating favorable conditions for organization. Photo: Document |
On the opening day of the first Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament, Mr. Tien was really happy to see the excitement and joy on the faces of each player and fan. Next were thematchtook place in an exciting and fierce atmosphere with the cheers and encouragement of a large audience. There were matches where the stadium was packed with spectators, with almost no empty seats left; towards the end of the tournament, the matches became more intense and attractive. Thanks to that, the tournament was a great success and left an impression on the hearts of football fans in Nghe An.
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| The Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament is a useful playground for children during the summer vacation. Photo courtesy |
After the success of the first Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament, in the following years the tournament continued to receive support from the Department of Education and Training, the Provincial Youth Union, the Youth and Children Care Board and sponsors. The tournament was organized more and more professionally, thereby discovering many football "seeds" who later became talented players of the Song Lam Nghe An Club and the Vietnam National Team.
Later, after retiring, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tien continued to follow the tournaments. Most of the opening and closing matchesfinalHe was always present in the stands to watch and cheer. There were even matches where he brought 3-4 of his grandchildren to watch their peers compete in fierce matches.
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| The organization of the Youth Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup is increasingly professional. Photo: Document |
On the eve of the 24th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament (2022), Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tien shared: “In recent years, the organization of the tournament has increasingly demonstrated professionalism, from coordination to propaganda and promotion, everything has been carried out closely. Therefore, I believe this year's tournament will continue to be a great success.”
