At the 2024 AFC Special Awards Ceremony held alongside the AFC Women’s Football Conference on November 12, Vietnamese football received three prestigious awards. This year’s AFC Women’s Football Conference marks the event’s return after a five-year hiatus since 2019. Representing the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) was Deputy General Secretary Nguyen Thanh Ha, who attended as a member of the AFC Women’s Football Committee.
The conference included the AFC Women’s Football Development Seminar, with notable Vietnamese attendees such as Mai Duc Chung, head coach of the Vietnam Women’s National Team, and Luu Quang Dien Bien, Head of Grassroots Football, Training, and Member Organizations.
During the event, the AFC presented special awards for 2024, including honors for community and youth football. Vietnamese football was celebrated with victories in two of four categories in community football. Notably, Nguyen Hoang Phuong, Director of the Football For All in Vietnam (FFAV) project, was awarded “Outstanding Grassroots Leader,” while the FFAV initiative itself was named “Best Grassroots Project.”
Nguyen Hoang Phuong, previously awarded the AFC Dream Asia Award in 2017, has dedicated nearly 20 years to grassroots football in Vietnam. His contributions have led to the establishment of community football clubs, the integration of life skills and climate change awareness into coaching, and the promotion of gender equality. Phuong’s efforts have made a significant impact, using football as a force for positive social change.
Additionally, Vietnamese football received another significant honor as the PVF Youth Football Training Center was awarded “Youth Academy of the Year (Male).” Since its inception, PVF has consistently worked to become one of Southeast Asia’s most reputable football academies.
In 2020, PVF achieved a milestone by earning 3-star status under the AFC Elite Youth Scheme, a recognition it retained this year for its continued commitment to providing top resources and training for Vietnam’s young football talent.
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