2022 Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament: Thai ethnic boy 'plays football well, studies well'

Born into a poor family in Lo village, Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong district. Due to the family's difficult circumstances, his parents had to ask his grandparents to raise and take care of Thach since he started first grade so he could go abroad to work.

A training session of the Tuong Duong Children's Team. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Aware of his circumstances, Lo Huy Thach always tries his best in his studies. In class, he listens attentively to lectures, enthusiastically volunteers to speak up to develop lessons, at home he takes out his books to study the lessons he is preparing to learn and the lessons he has learned before going to school, and in the remaining time he helps his grandparents sweep the house and pick vegetables. From grade 1 to grade 4, Huy Thach has always achieved the title of student who has completed excellently in his studies and training.

After practicing with the team, Lo Huy Thach also practices at home. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Commenting on student Lo Huy Thach, the homeroom teacher of class 4A2 Nguyen Thi Le, Xa Luong Primary School said: “Thach is an active, responsible student with a high sense of learning. Thach learns lessons quickly. As the class monitor, Thach manages the class very well and is responsible for the class. He has a gentle and approachable personality, so he is loved by teachers and friends.”

Not only is he a good student and a model class monitor, Thai ethnic boy Lo Huy Thach also has a passion for soccer.

Thach's certificates of merit are kept very carefully by his grandfather. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Present at the artificial turf field in Thach Giam town, where the Tuong Duong District Children's Football Team is practicingNghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Football Tournament 2022. We are very impressed with young player Lo Van Thach, Thach is quite versatile, can play both as a striker and as a midfielder. Thach has a solid physique, good health and technique, so he often has amazing breakthroughs and powerful and beautiful shots.

Lo Huy Thach shared: “In previous years, I have also been to Vinh City 2-3 times. However, not for fun but for medical treatment. This time, I am very happy to participate in the Youth - Children Football Tournament of Nghe An Newspaper Cup in Vinh City with my friends and seniors. I am very happy and will try my best to compete well.”

Thach was commented by his teacher as having good learning awareness and being a responsible class monitor. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Mr. Lo Dinh Vien in Lo village, Xa Luong commune still takes his grandson to soccer practice twice a day. Mr. Vien shared: “After school, Thach is always wrapped up in the ball, whenever a friend comes over, he invites him to play soccer. This year, he is in 4th grade and he was selected for the district team to participate in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children Soccer Tournament, not only him but my family is also happy and proud. Having followed this tournament on mass media for many years, I find this a very healthy and beneficial activity for teenagers and children during the summer. Through this tournament, the children can interact, learn and satisfy their passion for soccer, especially the children of ethnic minorities like us”. It is known that from home to the team's training location, they have to travel a distance of about 10km, but the two of them have not missed a single practice session.

Coach Nguyen Duc Thang, coach of the Tuong Duong District Children's Team, commented on Lo Huy Thach: "In training, Thach is one of the players with good technique, endurance, football thinking and training awareness. In particular, in competition, he has the ability to handle the ball quickly. Therefore, although he is only in grade 4, the coaching board decided to put his name on the list of the team participating in this year's tournament. Hopefully, with Lo Huy Thach's contribution, the Tuong Duong Children's Team will have a successful season"./.