Keeping the passion alive through community football fields.

(GLO) - Having once played for the provincial youth team, Dang Quoc Dung (born in 1982, residing in Quy Nhon ward) remains dedicated to football in his own unique way. In various roles, he has quietly made his mark, becoming an inspiration and motivator of passion for the younger generation of football.

Amidst the vibrant development of grassroots football in the Quy Nhon area, the name Dang Quoc Dung has become familiar to many sports enthusiasts. For many years, every afternoon at Hoa Lu Stadium (Quy Nhon ward), the image of him and his students from Vietfootball Academy busily preparing balls and equipment before training has become familiar to many parents and students.

Mr. Dang Quoc Dung (standing furthest left) persistently spreads his love of football to the younger generation through community football classes. Photo: HV

For Mr. Dung, the reason for his involvement with community football stems from the innocence and pure joy of the children when they interact with the ball. He shared: "At this age, children play football with carefree abandon, wholeheartedly pursuing their passion, without focusing on tactics or achievements. That makes me even more eager to accompany them and contribute to creating a good environment for their development."

Earlier this year, Vietfootball Academy, under his leadership, continued to expand its operations, maintaining training at two locations: the Provincial Military Command football field (Quy Nhon Nam ward) and the Railway football field (Quy Nhon ward), attracting approximately 100 students for regular training. Currently, the center has five coaches who teach alongside him, most of whom are former football players, thus possessing the expertise to guide techniques and handle situations on the field.

According to Mr. Dung, community football training is not simply about teaching football techniques, but also about helping children develop teamwork and discipline. During the lessons, students are divided into age groups and skill levels to receive appropriate lesson plans. Those new to football are taught basic skills, while those with more experience improve their tactics, physical fitness, and competitive mindset.

Regularly traveling nearly 15 km each weekend to attend goalkeeper training classes, Ho Hoai Anh (born in 2014, from Tuy Phuoc Dong commune) excitedly said: “I like going to training because the instructors are easy to understand and fun. Each training session, I learn many new skills and socialize with my friends.”

Besides regular training sessions, Mr. Dung also creates opportunities for students to participate in exchanges, tours, and field trips combined with matches with many community football centers in the province. Through these activities, the children gain practical experience, hone their communication skills, become familiar with the competitive environment, and naturally cultivate a love for sports.

The trainees are divided into age groups for training to develop their skills and physical fitness in stages. Photo: Trainee

His time playing for the Binh Dinh U21 team (in 1997) and then for Dak Lak in the National First Division in 2005 helped Dang Quoc Dung accumulate professional experience and understand the value of hard work for a young player. After retiring from professional football, he didn't abandon the sport but chose to continue his involvement in a different way.

Since 2007, he has transitioned to national refereeing, officiating in numerous professional tournaments such as the National Cup, the National Second Division, and the National First Division.

With a passion for football, Mr. Dang Quoc Dung (third from the left) also actively participates in organizing amateur tournaments. Photo: HV

His work as a referee gave him the opportunity to travel to many places and interact with grassroots football models across the country. From Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, each trip brought him more experiences and taught him how to build a systematic community football environment.

"Traveling and meeting many people has helped me connect with colleagues about how to develop football in localities with well-organized and professional movements. From that, I also thought about how to create a better environment for youth football development in my hometown," Dũng shared.

Mr. Dang Quoc Dung (in black shirt) participates in officiating the friendly match between former Binh Dinh football players and the Gia Lai Provincial Young Entrepreneurs Association. Photo: HV

Besides diligently developing community football classes every day, Mr. Dang Quoc Dung is also actively involved in managing amateur football tournaments, especially the "veteran" league in Quy Nhon.

With years of experience as a national referee and a deep understanding of the subject, he consistently demonstrates impartiality, approachability, and earns the trust of the teams. This contributes to stimulating the development of football and spreading a passion for the sport within the community.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/giu-lua-dam-me-tu-san-bong-da-cong-dong-post588527.html