At the AFC Annual Awards 2023, held in Seoul, South Korea, on October 29, 2024, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) was honored with the Bronze Award in the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots Football category. This award highlights VFF’s contributions to developing youth and community football.
Throughout the 2023/24 season, VFF focused on elevating the quality of professional football leagues and expanding its grassroots programs across Vietnam. The federation committed to organizing and improving various national competitions, including the Women’s National Championship, the Women’s National Cup, and divisions spanning from the second to third tiers. VFF also continued to support youth tournaments for age groups such as U21, U19, U16, U15, U13, U11, U9, as well as male and female futsal and beach soccer competitions.
A key project in VFF’s community efforts is the FIFA school football initiative, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training. This initiative has reached over 1,000 schools across 63 provinces, engaging children in organized football and promoting the sport’s foundational values. Additionally, VFF’s community program, the Football for All in Vietnam (FFAV), continues to expand its reach in partnership with the Norwegian Football Federation. Operating for five years, the FFAV project now spans more than 15 provinces and hosts the Vietnam-Norway Cup, which attracts approximately 3,000-4,000 elementary and middle school students annually, with 50% of participants being girls.
The federation has also developed comprehensive teaching materials designed for children from U6 to U12, enhancing grassroots programs and facilitating local school tournaments. These initiatives aim to foster a sustainable football environment that encourages youth engagement from an early age.
VFF’s commitment extends beyond the pitch, participating actively in social responsibility programs and the AFC Grassroots Football Charter. The federation organized several events in 2023, including AFC Women’s Football Day on March 8 and Grassroots Football Day on May 15, to further promote community involvement in sports.
The Bronze Award in Grassroots Football serves as a significant motivator for VFF to strengthen its approach, focusing on a sustainable growth model for Vietnamese football. By supporting youth and community-based football, VFF aims to make long-lasting contributions to the development of football across Asia and the world, aligning with AFC’s vision of community-driven football initiatives. This recognition underscores VFF’s efforts to establish a robust grassroots foundation, fostering the next generation of football talent and contributing to the sport’s overall progress.
Leave a Reply