Promote grassroots sports movement

(Baonghean) - From October 27 to 31, at Vinh City Stadium, the matches of the 2015 Nghe An Province Commune and Ward Football Tournament took place very excitingly. This is the second time this tournament has been held, contributing to promoting the football movement in the communes and wards in the province.

The predecessor of the Provincial Commune and Ward Football Tournament was the Provincial Farmers' Football Tournament, which was held since the 1990s. Since 2011, the Farmers' Football Tournament has been renamed the Commune and Ward Football Tournament, and the Tournament's Charter has also changed. Firstly, the participants include not only farmers but also civil servants, public employees, and workers. Secondly, the football team of a district, city, or town participating in the tournament does not have to come from many communes and wards as before, but is entirely from only one commune or ward.

Awarding the Championship Cup to the football team of Hop Thanh commune (Yen Thanh).

Mr. Mai Xuan Vinh - Head of the Department of Sports and Physical Training (Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism) said: "Previously, although the name was the Farmers' Football Tournament, due to the lack of clear regulations, the football teams included not only farmers but also traders, service providers, construction workers, carpenters..., creating unnecessary controversies. Therefore, with the Commune and Ward Football Tournament, we want to expand the number of participating football teams. The purpose of only taking personnel from one commune or ward is to promote the sports movement at the grassroots level. This regulation encourages districts, cities and towns to build a model commune or ward for the sports movement in general and football in particular, and at the same time organize district-level tournaments for communes and wards to affirm their strength."

Another noteworthy thing is that the 2015 Provincial Commune and Ward Football Tournament has demonstrated a correct direction in developing grassroots sports, which is the model of ward and commune level football clubs. In addition to Hop Thanh Commune Football Club, there are also Doi Cung Ward Football Club (Vinh City), Son Hai Commune (Quynh Luu), Nghia Hanh Commune (Tan Ky)... These clubs were established by the Cultural and Sports Centers of districts, cities and towns and the activities of these clubs have promoted the development of local sports movements.

Player Le Quang Tu of Nghia Hanh Commune Football Club said: “Coming to the tournament, we are very excited because it is true to our passion and we can compete and exchange experiences. Therefore, in each match, I and the team members show our determination, but the important thing is to show the spirit of sportsmanship - solidarity - honesty - nobility. I hope this tournament will be maintained and organized more regularly to create a playground for football clubs in wards and communes in the province.”

However, besides the positive aspects, the Provincial Commune and Ward Football Tournament has not done a good job of promoting and advertising the sponsorship budget. This year's tournament only attracted 2 sponsoring enterprises. The prize money for the titles, according to the reflection of the football teams, is much lower than the tournaments not organized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Also because of not finding a sponsor, in 2013, this tournament did not take place as planned. I think this is something that the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism needs to consider and research so that the Commune and Ward Football Tournament can continue to be maintained and developed with a larger scale and better quality.

Article and photos:Minh Quan