Gia Lai Trade Union determined to create surprises in this year's tournament - Photo: QUANG DINH
Not only that, the car is also a big dream for the workers. But unlike many football teams, the journey to Ho Chi Minh City of the Gia Lai Trade Union team is a challenging one. Where the passion for football has to face difficulties, a journey that the team leader Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy had to exclaim that "is a feat".
Overcoming difficulties
The story of Gia Lai Trade Union this year is a special testament to the efforts to overcome difficulties. After the merger of Gia Lai and Binh Dinh, the hasty preparation forced them to face a series of organizational, logistical and personnel challenges.
Ms. Vo Bich Thao Vy, Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Women's Union of the Provincial Labor Federation, who directly participated in the "gathering of troops" process, shared about these obstacles. "Gia Lai is in the process of consolidating and perfecting the entire organization. The area is now too large, traveling and gathering brothers is extremely difficult," Ms. Vy analyzed.
Geographical difficulties were the first obstacle. With a large management area, organizing centralized training sessions became a difficult problem. Most of the team's training sessions took place on weekend evenings after office hours. This made it impossible to mobilize players from the old Gia Lai to come down to practice. As a result, the core of this year's team was mostly players from the old Binh Dinh area.
Next is the selection of personnel. Contrary to expectations of a more abundant source of players after the merger, Ms. Vy said that the number of participants has been narrowed due to changes in the management structure. The biggest difficulty is the change in the squad. Ms. Vy revealed a surprising number: "Since our establishment, we have had to change more than 20 players. Until now, the official squad cannot be called complete."
Overcoming the pressure of "bread and butter"
Behind the organizational difficulties is a more realistic story, which is the pressure of "making a living" weighing heavily on the shoulders of each worker player.
Ms. Vo Bich Thao Vy explained: "Most of the players in the team are workers, paid based on their products. Even though they are still clocked in normally, their income will definitely be reduced." The tournament lasts for many days, which means the players have to trade a large part of their family's income to pursue their passion.
Understanding those efforts and sacrifices, the team's leadership does not put too much pressure on results. Team leader Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy shared with a very humble spirit but also hoped that the team would make an impression: "The team's spirit is just to exchange and learn. I don't set many goals, just go into the field with the most comfortable spirit. But Gia Lai Trade Union will definitely play their best to create a special impression.
In the qualifying round, holding Group B, Gia Lai Trade Union team will face opponents: Becamex Group, Vietnam Electricity Trade Union and Sacombank Trade Union. Despite many difficulties, the quality of this year's team is still highly appreciated. "If compared, the quality of the current team is better," Ms. Vy commented.
In 2024, the old Gia Lai team reached the final round in Hanoi . With that experience and courage, although they could not have the most ideal preparation, the Gia Lai Trade Union team came to Ho Chi Minh City not only to compete, but to continue writing the story about the dream and determination of the workers.
In 2025, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the Vietnam Football Federation and Tuoi Tre newspaper will continue to coordinate to organize the Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament. Entering its third year of organization, the tournament has affirmed its position as an annual and prestigious playground for workers, civil servants and laborers across the country, contributing to promoting the movement of physical exercise and sports, improving the cultural and spiritual life of workers, civil servants and laborers in particular and the whole society in general.
This year's tournament received the support of Truong Hai Group Joint Stock Company (THACO), Dong Luc Sports Group, HTP Pharmaceutical Investment Joint Stock Company, Hoa Sen Group Joint Stock Company, Sunshine Group, Saigon Water Corporation (SAWACO), Fashion Connection Joint Stock Company (Faslink), 108 Central Military Hospital, 175 Military Hospital and a number of enterprises.
24 teams participating in the Southern region qualifying round
The teams will compete at Ton Duc Thang University (19 Nguyen Huu Tho, Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) and People's Police University (36 Nguyen Huu Tho, Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) from October 10 to 13, 2025. The teams will be divided into 6 groups. The 6 group winners and the 2 best second-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals. A total of 10 places in the final round of the Vietnam Workers' and Civil Servants' Football Tournament 2025 will be determined in this area.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/giai-bong-da-cong-nhan-vien-chuc-viet-nam-2025-cong-doan-gia-lai-mo-lon-20251008104759061.htm
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