The "Nghệ" brand through the SEA Games

(Baonghean) - Besides the sports that have made a strong impression and achieved miracles at the SEA Games, football is the sport that attracts the most viewers. In every victory of this king of sports, the mark of the players from Nghe An province is always deeply imprinted...

From miracles

Since its inception in 1959 (Vietnam being one of the six founding member countries), the SEA Games have been considered a means of strengthening relations between countries in the region, as well as a good opportunity to train and improve the sports skills of athletes in Southeast Asia.

In the early SEA Games, Vietnam achieved several successes, notably in table tennis, shooting, tennis, swimming, cycling, football (champions in 1959), and men's volleyball (champions in 1967). After a period of absence, Vietnam returned to the competition in 1989. The presence of the Vietnamese sports delegation at the 15th SEA Games, after the country's reunification, demonstrated the friendship, peace, and stability of Southeast Asia. On this return, the Vietnamese sports delegation won 19 medals (3 gold, 11 silver, and 5 bronze), ranking 7th out of 9 participating countries. From then on, Vietnamese sports continued to develop with remarkable progress in each SEA Games. In 2003, Vietnam had the honor of hosting the 22nd SEA Games for the first time in Hanoi. As a result, Vietnam topped the medal table with 340 medals (156 gold, 91 silver, and 93 bronze). Since this SEA Games, Vietnamese sports have consistently maintained their position among the top three countries in the region.

Not only has Vietnam maintained its top position, but it has also begun to "dominate" official Olympic sports such as athletics and swimming—sports in which Vietnam previously only participated for the purpose of "learning." Outstanding athletes participating in the 28th SEA Games include swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, otter Hoang Quy Phuoc, and race walker Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc. Many more gold medals and new records will undoubtedly be added to the collection of Vietnamese athletes at the ongoing 28th SEA Games. However, behind the smiles and glory brought to the nation, the medals won bear the indelible mark of sweat, effort, willpower, aspirations, tears of happiness, and even the disappointments of the athletes and coaches.

Visiting Nghe An to leave your mark.

At the SEA Games, besides the joy of seeing the increasing number of medals on the overall medal table for the Vietnamese sports delegation, fans from Nghe An also have another joy: following the progress of their players in the national team's colors, both in the past and later in the U23 team. Nghe An football fans cannot forget the image of Van Sy Hung and his brilliant performance at the 1997 SEA Games when he scored two goals to help the Vietnamese team draw 2-2 with host Indonesia at the "Senayan cauldron." At that time, the skillful dribbling of "Little boy," as regional media described him after the tournament, disrupted the Indonesian defense, which consisted entirely of tall defenders. The powerful tackles of the steely center-back Huu Thang, and the blistering pace of midfielder Truong "the buffalo" along the wing... all contributed to Vietnam winning the bronze medal at the 1997 SEA Games and the silver medal at the 1999 SEA Games. At this 28th SEA Games, fans from Nghe An province are once again thrilled by the performances of Cong Phuong, Phi Son, Manh Hung, Ngoc Hai... in the U23 Vietnam jersey.

The Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children's Football Tournament is a launching pad for football talents. Photo: TH

To produce outstanding players at the SEA Games and continental tournaments, besides the participation of players from all over the country, the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament cannot be overlooked. Established 19 years ago, this tournament has become a truly beneficial playground for young players from all over Nghe An province. From this tournament, many young football talents have been discovered, selected and trained by academies across the country, and have become football "stars". To this day, national team player Le Cong Vinh still remembers his first time in Vinh City, eating ice cream and staying in a hotel when the Quynh Luu youth team reached the finals. Similarly, striker Cong Phuong still vividly remembers his first coach, Truong Quang Vinh, who selected him to join the Do Luong youth team to participate in the Nghe An Newspaper Cup in 2005...

From the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament, many young football talents from the province have become national team players. From playing barefoot on the banks of the Lam River or on the dry, cracked fields after harvests, they have now left their mark on the pitches of international competitions. This is also the motivation for the young players participating in the 19th Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth Football Tournament to give their all to shine and catch the eye of coaches from youth training academies, nurturing their dream of becoming football stars like their predecessors.

It is these grassroots, socially-oriented tournaments, such as the Nghe An Newspaper Cup Youth and Children's Football Tournament, that serve as the foundation for Vietnamese sports to continue developing, further improving its performance, and becoming one of the countries with a developed sports scene in the continent and the world.

Duc Dung