Spreading solidarity among the Vietnamese community in Korea

Opening ceremony of the O-35 Football Championship in Korea. (Photo: VNA)

This is the first tournament exclusively for Vietnamese players over 35 years old living in Korea.

With a strong sporting spirit, the football tournament attracted the participation of 8 teams including Hoi E7, Baran, Hwaseong, Ba Mien, Daseo, Chungju, Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa. Accompanying the tournament were 9 Vietnamese and Korean enterprises, with a total prize value of more than 2.4 million won (about 43.4 million VND).

Ms. Son Nyeong Hee, Director of the Hwaseong Foreign Resident Support Center, attended the event and expressed her excitement at the players’ enthusiastic spirit. She encouraged the teams to play their best for the country, contributing to spreading the spirit of healthy sportsmanship, solidarity and nobility in the Vietnamese community.

In Korea, the Vietnamese football movement is growing strongly, with nearly 100 amateur football teams. Every year, there are two major tournaments gathering nearly 30 teams and more than 1,500 participants organized by the Vietnam Football Association in Korea, along with many small tournaments taking place throughout the year.

However, current tournaments still lack a playground specifically for older players, making competition with the younger generation a big challenge in regular football tournaments. Therefore, the birth of the O-35 tournament has a special meaning, creating conditions for older players to enjoy their passion for football in a suitable environment.

Representatives of the 8 teams received the flags and took souvenir photos with the Organizing Committee. (Photo: Duc Thang/VNA)

Although there have been many community support activities, this is the first time that the Korean news site Today and the Vietnamese Association in Hwaseong have jointly organized a football tournament, and are pioneers in organizing a playground for players over 35 years old.

Today's Korea, with more than 57,000 followers after 10 years of operation, is a reputable information site, specializing in providing free visa instructions, administrative procedures and practical information for the Vietnamese community in Korea. With a deep understanding of the Vietnamese community here, Today's Korea has continuously connected and spread positive values ​​as well as provided information about the Vietnamese community in Korea to domestic media agencies.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Association in Hwaseong - established 15 years ago - is an organization representing the largest Vietnamese community in Korea, always striving to build solidarity, support the community and promote Vietnamese culture.

The organizers have chosen a 7-a-side football field format, which is suitable for the physical strength and number of older players. This decision shows understanding of the characteristics of the O-35 group of players, although in Korea, 11-a-side and 5-a-side football fields are more common.

In addition to the exciting matches on the field, the tournament's award categories are diverse and attractive. Each match has its own award for the best player to recognize the shining moments of older players, who are inherently difficult to compete for individual awards when competing in football tournaments with younger age groups. In addition, the award for the best player of the tournament and the top scorer also adds a category for players 40 years of age and older to honor the competitive spirit and encourage veteran players.

The organizers hope to maintain and develop this event to be held twice a year in Spring and Fall - the ideal time for older players to compete and connect with the community.

The 2025 Hwaseong O-35 Football Championship in Korea has promoted and honored the immortal spirit of sportsmanship, bringing a meaningful football festival to the Vietnamese community in Korea. A large number of Vietnamese spectators in the community, along with guests and representatives of local authorities, police agencies, and Korean referees, attended, together cheering for the "heroes of the field," the hearts that love football forever young./.

According to VNA

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/lan-toa-tinh-doan-ket-trong-cong-dong-nguoi-viet-tai-han-quoc-246308.htm