SLNA CEO: 'Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament is a correct strategy'
(Baonghean) - From the perspective of Mr. Ho Van Chiem - Executive Director of Song Lam Nghe An Club, who has accompanied the team for the past 22 years, the Youth Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup is truly a visionary strategy of the former leaders of Nghe An Newspaper and Nghe An Sports and Physical Training Department.
PV: As one of the people who accompanied the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament from the beginning, how do you view this playground?
Mr. Ho Van Chiem:After 22 seasons, the Youth Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup is a very useful playground for children during the summer vacation. From poor villages to urban areas in Nghe An, football is widely interested and admired by the people. From the first times the co-organizing units created this playground, it was considered a correct strategy.
The pioneer in the tradition of the Youth Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup is Vinh city. Since 1984, the Youth Football Tournament - Vinh city was formed and later, Nghe An football has succeeded in replicating this model on a provincial scale.
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| Mr. Ho Van Chiem (right) welcomed the legendary Ryan Gigg - Director of PVF Center to visit Song Lam Nghe An Club. |
As a witness and contributor to the organization of the first Nghe An Newspaper Cup in 1997, what I am most happy about is that this movement has become a pioneer in creating playgrounds for teenagers and children nationwide. The success of the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament was the basis for the later formation of the National Youth Football Tournament.
PV: Most of SLNA's stars over many generations have grown up from this tournament. What does that mean for the development of Nghe An football in general, sir?
Mr. Ho Van Chiem:The Nghe An Newspaper Cup is not only useful and meaningful, but also a stepping stone, creating the main source of human resources for top-level football. Entering the 23rd season, nearly a quarter of a century, it can be said that the results and achievements that the tournament brings are complete. Therefore, SLNA's human resources are almost proactive right in the home province, without having to take forces from other localities.
In my opinion, looking at it in general, after 22 years this traditional football tournament has really grown and is a strategy going in the right direction. This is a foundation, a leading flag in the youth football movement. Previously, the provincial leaders instructed those working in Nghe An sports to build a foundation for the future and we have done that.
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| Exciting moments in the 22nd season. Photo archive |
PV: From the perspective of managers and organizers, how do you evaluate the organization of the tournament so far?
Mr. Ho Van Chiem:Rarely has a tournament had such success. There were rare times when the tournament encountered economic difficulties and was not expanded, but it still maintained its tradition and effectiveness.
As far as I know, this year's tournament gathered 33 teams from 21 districts, cities and towns, which is truly a continued success and shows the sustainable development of the tournament. Now, from the cooperation of society, the tournament has financial support from PVF, which has reduced the difficulties for the participating teams.
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| The joy of the young players when their names were announced as champions of the tournament. Photo: Archive |
I remember, the first time the tournament was held, the prize was only 1 million VND. Now the prize has increased to 30 million VND, which is truly an impressive number. The support of more and more sponsors has created favorable conditions for participating teams, reducing difficulties for localities.
The close and even coordination between Nghe An Newspaper - the main organizer, the Department of Culture and Sports and SLNA Club has helped the organization and operation of the tournament become perfect. In the past, football tournaments often encountered some problems in personnel issues. But now, the teams themselves are more aware to contribute to the overall success of the tournament.
PV: In your opinion, what makes the quality of the tournament and the quality of young players of Nghe An Newspaper Cup and later SLNA always guaranteed?
Mr. Ho Van Chiem:Although SLNA Club does not have good facilities like other places, as a co-organizer, it is proud to have contributed to the overall success of the tournament. SLNA Club itself, when attending continental football conferences, introducing the achievements and records of the team, the grassroots amateur classes and introducing a provincial-wide youth football tournament such as the Nghe An Newspaper Cup, has surprised foreign experts.
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| The exciting training atmosphere of the football teams preparing to compete in the 23rd Youth - Children's Football Cup taking place from June 11 to June 17, 2019. Photo: Archive |
From this playground, we have contributed to the national team many good players, all of whom have proven themselves. I think that most of the players who were discovered from the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament have become successful and have personal brands, reaping many achievements with the Vietnam National Team. From the U23 Asian Cup, AFF Cup, Asian Cup 2019 or just recently in the away match against Thailand, the Vietnam National Team won 1-0, there were Nguyen Trong Hoang, Que Ngoc Hai and Nguyen Cong Phuong, 3 faces who all matured from the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament.
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| The Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament enters its 23rd year, nearly a quarter of a century. Photo courtesy |
It can be said that the Youth Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper Cup has created a long tradition and the younger generations of players always inherit what their seniors left behind. If the generation of Hong Son, Huy Hoang, Cong Vinh, Van Quyen admired the previous Sy Hung, Huu Thang, Quang Truong, then Trong Hoang, Ngoc Hai, Van Duc, Xuan Manh idolized them. Surely in the future, there will be more Nguyen Cong Phuong, Que Ngoc Hai or Pham Xuan Manh - Phan Van Duc.
PV: We call the tournament a playground, and also a stepping stone for the dream of becoming a professional player. But for those who do not pursue a career as a player, what does it mean, sir?
Mr. Ho Van Chiem:From these playgrounds, the young players will grow up a lot. Even if they do not follow the path of professional football, they still have a beautiful and healthy childhood. The tournament not only has rewards for good players, but also gifts to encourage young players who study well and play football well. That is very humane and motivates the children before entering the new school year.
Not only that, practicing and competing in sports helps children develop comprehensively in both physical and mental aspects. The passion for football and sports of children in Nghe An has really spread strongly, from the neighborhood, commune, district and later to the agencies and organizations where they work. From here, it contributes to becoming a culture and sports movement in the whole society.
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| Phan Van Duc is the latest SLNA star to grow up from the Nghe An Newspaper Cup. Photo: NVCC |
PV: As a long-time football manager, how do you feel when SLNA in general and you personally contributed to the success of the tournament's history?
Mr. Ho Van Chiem:The significance and role of the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament is undeniable. Up to this point, as the executive director of SLNA Club, I can affirm that the development of football in the province has a clear strategy.
Personally, I have witnessed and participated in organizing the tournament since the first days and the tournament has achieved the success it has today is the happiness of a lifetime. SLNA is the team that benefits from the talents of this football tournament, I wish the 23rd tournament to be as successful as the previous years. I hope the tournament will discover many talents not only for SLNA but also for the national team in the future.
PV: Thank you.
Nghe An Newspaper Cup Football Tournament: Burning Desires
(Baonghean.vn) - Participating in the 23rd Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament, immersing themselves in the passionate atmosphere of the match between Song Lam Nghe An - Hoang Anh Gia Lai, the young players also have the opportunity to join the leading football training centers in Vietnam.