The 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children's Football Tournament in 2023: Quy Hop Children's Team aims to achieve the highest results

This year, the Quy Hop District Children's Team has 12 athletes, including 9 born in 2012 and 3 born in 2013. Participating in the tournament for the first time, young player Ha Anh Van, has the smallest physique in the team, weighing only 28kg. His family is a near-poor household, Thai ethnic group in Lien Minh hamlet of Chau Thai commune, nearly 10km from the training ground, but every morning he wakes up early to cycle to practice on time.

Coach Cao Thanh Xuan instructs young players on soccer shooting skills. Photo: Phan Giang

Ha Anh Van said: It is the harvest season, my parents are busy with farming, but they still prioritize and encourage me to go to practice to participate in the football tournament. Therefore, I will try my best to pursue my passion, my parents' expectations, and strive with my friends to achieve high results.

Unlike Ha Anh Van, who is participating in the tournament for the first time, Le Vu Phong, Quan Phan Hoan… are participating for the second time. According to Quan Phan Hoan, with the experience gained from the tournament, he and his friends will lead the district team to go deep into the Nghe An Newspaper Cup and hope to continue to shine like in previous seasons.

Ha Anh Van and his teammates are enthusiastically practicing. Photo: Phan Giang

Witnessing each training session, it is easy to see that whether it is individual training or team training, coach Cao Thanh Xuan always urges the young players to “run, run, run more”… Accordingly, the young players seem to have gained momentum and practice more enthusiastically, competing with great enthusiasm even though the weather is not really favorable.

“In 2019, we won the championship, but after 2 years of Covid-19, the tournament was not held. In 2022, the Quy Hop Children's Team participated again and won the Bronze Medal. This year, the quality of the team is somewhat better, so this will be a favorable condition and hope for the Quy Hop Children's Team,” said coach Cao Thanh Xuan.

Quy Hop Children's Team consults after practice. Photo: Phan Giang

Inside the stadium, the young players were excitedly practicing, while outside, the parents with their belongings were equally excited as they stood watching their children despite the hot weather.

Mr. Nguyen Van Vuong, father of young player Nguyen Van Hieu, said: I think there is no sport that demonstrates team spirit and solidarity like football and I am very happy that my son loves this sport. Therefore, when he was selected by the teachers to participateYouth - Children Football Tournament - Nghe An Newspaper CupThis year, my family and I are very happy. Even though our house is more than 10 km from the training ground, I still arrange to pick up and drop off, encourage my children and the team. For me, no matter what the results are, this will be a premise to contribute to nurturing my children's passion for football.

The lineup of the Quy Hop District Children's Team participating in the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children's Football Tournament in 2023. Photo: Phan Giang

It is known that, like many other mountainous districts, investment funds for sports activities in Quy Hop are still limited, especially investment in youth football. However, thanks to the active and dynamic implementation of socialization work from businesses, individuals, etc., the training of the Quy Hop Children's Team to participate in the 25th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth - Children's Football Tournament - 2023 is quite favorable.

Mr. Nguyen Tat Thanh - Deputy Director of Quy Hop District Culture and Information Center said: "One week before the tournament, we will arrange for the children to eat and stay on site to ensure their health and practice time... The attention of the Organizing Committee will be the motivation for the children to participate in the tournament with the determination to go deep into the tournament and maybe they will be in the highest position".

Phan Giang