TEAM WITH ISLAND SPIRIT
Established in 2012, Hoang Sa - Truong Sa football team gathers football lovers from many different professions, from businessmen, teachers, civil servants to foreigners living in Nha Trang City. Every Sunday afternoon, the players in shirts with the words "Hoang Sa - Truong Sa" on their chests gather at the 19/8 Stadium in Nha Trang to interact and compete with local football teams.
Mr. Le Duc Phuc, the person in charge of the team, shared: "We want the name Hoang Sa - Truong Sa to always resonate in the hearts of football lovers. Football is not only a sport but also an environment where people can easily open up and connect. We believe that through this team, each member will increase their awareness of the sovereignty of their homeland's sea and islands."
According to Mr. Phuc, the team always maintains about 30 members, coming to the field with a spirit of sportsmanship, joy and solidarity like a family. Notably, the team not only has Vietnamese but also many players from Russia, Ukraine, Korea, Chile, etc.
Hoang Sa - Truong Sa Club has many foreign members.
PHOTO: BA DUY
Mr. Andrey Smirnov, a Russian businessman who joined the team in 2014, recalled: "I happened to know about the team during a business discussion with Mr. Le Duc Phuc. At that time, Mr. Phuc mentioned the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa team and said that the team was preparing to carry out charity activities. I was very interested so I joined right away. Since then, except when I was on a business trip or had to return home, I played every week. The team has become an indispensable part of my life in Nha Trang."
Mr. Tri Hai, a lecturer at Nha Trang University and a veteran member of the team, confided that he has been with Hoang Sa - Truong Sa Club since its inception. Through competition and connections, not only he but also the Nha Trang University team has now accompanied Hoang Sa - Truong Sa Club in many charity programs.
Head coach of Khatoco Khanh Hoa team teaches at Hoang Sa - Truong Sa community football playground
PHOTO: BA DUY
According to Mr. Le Duc Phuc, to maintain its activities, the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa football team also receives support from the Provincial Competition Service Center and the Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism when allowing them to practice and compete at the August 19 Stadium every week. The team's maintenance costs are based on the voluntary contributions of its members. In addition to football, the team also regularly organizes many charity programs, sharing with those in difficult circumstances in the community. "Football is not only a sport but also a way for us to connect with each other and spread good values," Mr. Phuc said.
NURTURING YOUNG TALENTS
Since June 2022, Hoang Sa - Truong Sa Club has joined hands to create a free community football playground for children aged 6 - 12, operating every Saturday and Sunday morning at August 19 Stadium. With the slogan "Learn to play - Play to learn", the community football class hopes to bring a methodical and safe training environment, helping children have fun playing football. At the same time, the class also contributes a small part in discovering and selecting talents for Khanh Hoa football.
Although the community football field is completely free, thanks to the facilitation and care of leaders at all levels, the training environment for the children is highly professional. Mr. Le Duc Phuc said that with the support of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Competition Service Center, the children are trained on a V-League standard field, with a lesson plan specially prepared by former Khanh Hoa Club coach Vo Dinh Tan.
Mr. Kirill Leonov, a Russian businessman in the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa Club
PHOTO: BA DUY
In particular, the community football playground has received great support from Khatoco Khanh Hoa Football Club. The regular teachers here are former players and assistant coaches of the team such as: Tan Dien, Tran Van Vu, Huu Cam, The Chau, former national player Tuan Manh... When Khatoco Khanh Hoa football team is not competing or is on break, head coach Tran Trong Binh also directly teaches the children.
Coach Tran Trong Binh has also been a companion of the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa community football playground since the early days. "Currently, the teaching method of the coaches is through games, training or competitions to create a spirit of solidarity and mutual support, so that the children can progress together. We also introduce the children to the basic knowledge of football, the attitude of respecting others, respecting gender equality, and at the same time inspiring them to play football," said Mr. Binh.
COLOR OF HOMELAND
A special feature of the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa community football playground is the color of the uniforms, with two colors: blue and orange. Mr. Le Duc Phuc said: "Blue symbolizes the ocean, expressing love for the homeland and country. Orange is a symbol of gender equality, because this playground is not only for boys but also for girls who love football. At this playground, we not only want children to practice physical training, form team spirit and discipline, but also send meaningful messages, reminding them of their love for their homeland and country."
Nguyen Chi Hai Dang, a student in grade 8/10 at Mai Xuan Thuong Secondary School (Nha Trang City), has been practicing at this playground for more than 2 years. He proudly shared that he has had many new experiences about football and his love for the sea and islands since joining the training at the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa community football playground. Under the guidance of the teachers, he and his friends have improved day by day and had the opportunity to participate in the provincial U.11 and U.13 tournaments.
Young players of the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa community football playground participate in the U.13 Khanh Hoa province tournament in 2024
PHOTO: BA DUY
Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong, an officer working at the Nha Trang Naval Academy and Hai Dang’s parent, said he was surprised by the scale and professionalism of the coaches at this community football playground, even though it is completely free. This is a useful playground, in addition to professional training, it also helps to train the children’s health, personality, and ethics. Mr. Cong hopes that the playground will be maintained for a long time so that children have the opportunity to develop their talents, as well as find more outstanding factors for the province’s football.
Due to its voluntary operation, the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa community football playground also faces some difficulties in long-term operating costs such as costs for training equipment, drinking water, uniforms, etc. However, with the contribution from parents and Khanh Hoa football fans, the playground has been able to operate well until now.
It can be said that the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa football team and the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa community football playground are not only a place for football lovers to exercise, share and connect, but also a beautiful symbol of love for the homeland and the sea and islands of the Fatherland.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chuyen-ve-doi-bong-mang-ten-hoang-sa-truong-sa-185250313205433384.htm
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