The Vietnam Football Talent Promotion Fund (PVF) announced Thursday the list of 120 students that it has selected from 21 provinces and cities nationwide for a three month football training camp in Ho Chi Minh City.

Attending the ceremony were several senior government officials and football luminaries including: Tran Chien Thang, Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee; Duong Vu Lam, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the Asean Football Federation; Le Hung Dung, VFF Vice Chairman and Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Football Federation; Nguyen Cong Khe, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Youth Federation Central Committee; and national team coach Henrique Calisto.

PVF head coach Tran Minh Chien said the selected students had outstanding aptitude and great passion for football.

All expenses including accommodation and transportation for the 120 students – selected in three different groups between eight and 13, will be covered by the fund for three months at the end of which 50 of the top talents will be selected for a seven-year training program.

Nguyen Xuan Nam, PVF manager, said these 50 students will be trained in modern facilities using the latest training techniques and teaching materials, using coaches from top football training centers in the country and from Europe.

After graduation, students can further develop their career by being placed in several national and international teams through exclusive contracts with PVF or its proxy organizations.

While it aims to generate a regular supply of professionally trained young players for the country, the fund will also provide the best conditions to ensure a well-rounded education for students, officials said.

PVF Chairman Le Khac Hiep, noted that the fund was a non-profit organization under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism which hopes to contribute significantly to the development of Vietnamese football.

Ukraine coach Aleksandr Dodbii, paying his first visit to Vietnam, said it was a valuable opportunity to learn more about Vietnam and its people.

“I believe in my new, young Vietnamese students’ ability and am fairly satisfied with the training materials and facilities at the football center,” he said.

The young student’s parents also expressed their happiness and expectations for their children’s future. “My mind is at rest when my boy is studying here. I hope the fund will help my son become not only a good player, but also a useful citizen,” said one parent.

The fund plans to complete by next October a 30-hectare training center in HCMC’s District 9 with five stadiums, gyms, dining, accommodation and healthcare facilities for trainees and visitors.

Reported by Kim