Trong Hoang donates SEAGames Gold Medal to auction to raise funds to fight Covid-19

Trong Hoang presents his meaningful 2019 SEA Games Gold Medal. Photo: Hai Hoang

Previously, Trong Hoang also donated his jersey to students of a university in Ho Chi Minh City. "I donated a jersey to a group of students from the University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City, to auction. The proceeds are expected to go to visually impaired children in Ho Chi Minh City. Then I learned about the Sesame Seeds charity group and found their activities very practical. Therefore, I want to donate the medal that I cherish the most to raise funds. Hopefully, it will spread the spirit that we fought to win at the 2019 SEA Games," Hoang said.

Trong Hoang expressed: "For me, the true value in life lies in the good things I can give, not in what I receive. Therefore, whenever I can do something useful for the community, I am ready."

The charity group that Trong Hoang awarded the precious Gold Medal has donated 86 ventilators (worth 7.2 billion VND) to hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City. The group also called on celebrities to donate valuable items and auction them off, using the money to buy ventilators for the front line with the belief: one more ventilator, one more life can be saved.
In 2009, Trong Hoang played his first SEA Games at the age of 20. The star that coach Henrique Calisto had high hopes for scored against Malaysia in the group stage match, opening the door to the semi-finals for Vietnam. However, an injury soon after caused him to miss the semi-final match and only came on as a substitute in the final match despite not having fully recovered.
The performances in the previous stages made Vietnam more highly regarded.

The championship seemed to be firmly in the hands of Calisto and his team. But what happened next turned into tragedy. Vietnam could do nothing against Malaysia, and lost 0-1 because of an own goal by Mai Xuan Hop in the 85th minute. That day, Trong Hoang - the second youngest player of the U23 team - sat there stunned. He mentioned the endless sadness many times, as a great regret in his career. For many years, it has also been the pain of Vietnamese football.

Previously, Trong Hoang also gave students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics a shirt to auction to raise funds. Photo: Hai Hoang

Then, coach Park Hang-seo came and made historic decisions. Trong Hoang, at the age of 30, was one of two overage players selected to go to the SEA Games. Not only did he create an explosive block on the right wing, an example of effort and dedication, he also brought a historical story to the Philippines. "Honestly, when I knew I was called up, I was both happy and worried. Many people even referred to me as "an obsession". It might be a bit too much, but it somehow showed the desire to change the color of Vietnam's medals at the SEA Games", Trong Hoang recalled. "The moment I went up to receive the medal, I didn't know how to express my feelings. I was so lucky. I thought I would never be able to participate in the final of another SEA Games".