Director of Song Lam Nghe An Youth Football Training Center shares about the importance of the National U9 Tournament

PV:The 2024 National U9 Tournament has passed. Looking back at the journey of U9 Song Lam Nghe An, what impressed you the most?

Mr. Tran Quang Dung:The National U9 Tournament is one of 7 tournaments in the official youth tournament system of the Vietnam Football Federation. The U9 Tournament is organized in coordination between the Thieu Nien Nhi Dong Newspaper and the Vietnam Football Federation.

After 4 seasons, U9 Song Lam Nghe An won the championship twice in 2021 and 2022. In addition, in 2023, U9 Song Lam Nghe An also won a Bronze medal and in 2024 the team won a Silver medal.

For me personally, the achievement that U9 has just achieved is as valuable as winning the championship. Because before that, U9 Song Lam Nghe An had a very short training time. The teachers and students only had more than 1 month to practice together. Meanwhile, the teams participating in the tournament all had a very long preparation process. Therefore, we did not put too much emphasis on the achievement of this team.

However, when entering the tournament, the U9 players showed a determined spirit of competition, always striving and thirsting for victory. They overcame themselves, the more they competed, the better they became. Although they only won the Silver Medal, I feel very proud of the U9 Song Lam Nghe An players. This generation of players has many outstanding and potential individuals. If they continue to pursue football, I think some players of the U9 Song Lam Nghe An team will have many opportunities to succeed.

Currently, Song Lam Nghe An has a policy to sign contracts with 5 to 6 players who have just played excellently at the 2024 National U9 Tournament. These players will warm up the core for the Song Lam Nghe An U10 team in 2025.

PV:How do you evaluate the importance and attraction of the National U9 Tournament?

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It can be affirmed that the national U9 tournament is of great importance to the development of Vietnamese football.

Mr. Tran Quang Dung - Director of Song Lam Nghe An Youth Football Training Center

Mr. Tran Quang Dung:It can be affirmed that the national U9 tournament is of great importance to the development of Vietnamese football. The tournament is organized to give players the opportunity to practice and improve their football skills, contributing to nurturing young talents for the country's football. Besides, this is also a useful playground for children every summer. Helping them enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, the enthusiasm with the round ball.

With each passing match, we can easily see the attraction that this tournament brings. A large number of spectators have come to the stadium to cheer on the young players. And perhaps it is the innocence of the children that creates the attraction, attracting the attention of the audience.

Because of that meaning, I think the national U9 tournament is very important in the youth tournament system organized by the Vietnam Football Federation.

PV:So what will Song Lam Nghe An do to have more proactive preparation for the U9 class when participating in the National U9 Tournament held next year?

Mr. Tran Quang Dung:In previous years, when the national U9 tournament began, Song Lam Nghe An Youth Football Training Center often recruited players starting at the age of 8. Early recruitment will help coaches have time to hone their football skills and tactics for athletes. Help them quickly mature and compete better when entering the national U9 tournament. And in fact, in 2021 and 2022, Song Lam Nghe An U9 won the championship when participating in the national U9 tournament.

However, starting from 2024, due to some objective reasons, Nghe An province has reduced the number of athletes entering the center (Specifically, from 215 athletes to 200 athletes). Because of this problem, we were unable to build the U9 class as soon as we wanted. U9 Song Lam Nghe An only had less than 2 months of training before entering the tournament.

To better prepare for the 2025 National U9 Tournament, we will submit a request to the Department of Culture and Sports and the People's Committee of Nghe An province to add 15 to 20 more athletes. With this additional number, it is enough for the Song Lam Nghe An Youth Football Training Center to build an additional U9 class, practice, and prepare more thoroughly for the National U9 Tournament. And through this U9 class, we will also contribute to nurturing young talents for the next U generations of Song Lam Nghe An.

PV:Thank you for this conversation!