NTO - General Nguyen Chi Thanh

For over 30 years of revolutionary activity, entrusted with many important tasks by the Party and the Army, in many key positions, General Nguyen Chi Thanh was always present in the most difficult and fierce places, constantly dedicating and sacrificing his entire life to the ideals and revolutionary cause of the Party. His life of selfless revolutionary service to the Fatherland and the people has left for future generations an exemplary model of a loyal and steadfast communist soldier.

For generations of military sports coaches and athletes, the General was also seen as an elder brother, the founder of physical education and sports in the Army.

To commemorate the 110th anniversary of the birth of General Nguyen Chi Thanh (January 1, 1914 - January 1, 2024), many research works and new publications about the life and career of the General have been officially produced and published by authors, family members, and major publishers. Among them, the book "Stories about General Nguyen Chi Thanh" (Editor-in-chief: the late Senior General, Professor, Doctor Nguyen Chi Vinh - son of General Nguyen Chi Thanh) is noteworthy, compiled and published by the People's Army Publishing House in collaboration with the General's family.

Part seven of the book, titled "The 'General' of Arts and Culture," recounts that in his youth, General Nguyen Chi Thanh was deeply passionate about the traditional folk songs and rhymes of his homeland. When he became the leader of Party work, political work, and ideological work in the Army, the General understood very well the role of culture, arts, and sports for the troops.

Former Thể Công football star Nguyễn Cao Cường, on behalf of the Thể Công - Viettel football team, presented a portrait sculpture of General Võ Chí Thanh and the 1974 championship trophy to the museum. Photo: Hoàng Hiếu/TTXVN

Following the great victory at Dien Bien Phu, the Geneva Accords were signed, peace was restored, and a new era for the country began. With the foresight of a leader, the General, then Head of the General Political Department, signed a directive to establish an Army Sports and Physical Education Task Force. On September 23, 1954, the team was established, its structure and direct command under the General Political Department; it was known by the soldiers as The Cong, the predecessor of the Army Sports and Physical Education Center and the current Viettel Sports Center. The team's nhiệm vụ was to represent the Army in several popular sports, competing against other sectors and localities; and, together with the performing arts teams, to take over Hanoi and other major cities, organizing sports and cultural activities, contributing to the stability of a healthy spiritual life in the liberated areas. The team also served as the core for building the movement and training sports and physical education officers for the Army.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Cao Tam Tinh, Deputy Director of the Army Sports Center (Military Training Department, General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army), during his lifetime, despite being busy with many important tasks, General Nguyen Chi Thanh still paid great attention to and devoted much time and thought to directing the team, from organizing the force to the direction and principles of operation. After each successful match, the General praised the team. When there were mistakes or shortcomings, the General reminded them to review their performance, find the cause, and correct them.

One unwavering requirement of the General for The Cong was that they must always live up to their reputation as "Ho Chi Minh's soldiers" in the field of sports; military personnel should not only know how to fight but also how to work. This work includes cultural and sports propaganda activities, with their efforts in those fields serving as the leading example.

In the book "Stories about General Nguyen Chi Thanh," there is also a passage that recounts: "The members and players of the early The Cong football team always said: 'The The Cong team was founded by Commander Nguyen Chi Thanh, and its remarkable development in a short period of time is largely thanks to his efforts.'"

The Thể Công football team was the main force of the Army's Physical Education and Sports Task Force. Initially, the team had only 11 football players, mostly talented football trainees from the Army Officer School and former players who had participated in the resistance and accompanied the victorious army in taking over the capital. From the very beginning in Hanoi, the Head of the General Political Department, Nguyễn Chí Thanh, prioritized the team's stationing at the Cột Cờ stadium, organizing training sessions and participating in sports activities. The Cột Cờ stadium became the home ground of the Thể Công team.

The Cong team was not only the backbone of the movement and the main team holding a top position, but also a symbol of Vietnamese football from 1954 until the years before the Doi Moi (Renovation) period. In those difficult times, General Nguyen Chi Thanh always paid attention to directing relevant agencies to provide the team with proper nutrition and training conditions.

"As a sports enthusiast, especially football, General Nguyen Chi Thanh had a special affection for the The Cong team. Despite his busy schedule, he always made time to visit the players during training. He was always there to cheer them on; wherever The Cong played, he was there to watch. He went to the Hang Day and Cot Co stadiums in Hanoi, as well as Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Son Tay... cheering until his voice was hoarse. Even when he returned home, he was still full of enthusiasm; when they won, he was overjoyed, and when they lost, he was deeply saddened... A true fan!" (Excerpt from "Stories about General Nguyen Chi Thanh," People's Army Publishing House, p. 212)

That affection and support became the driving force that enabled The Cong players to rise to the top of Vietnamese football for many years and served as a bridge of friendship in domestic and international tournaments.

In fulfillment of the General's wishes, generations of officers, coaches, and athletes of the former Army Sports Center, the Army Sports Center, and the Viettel Sports Center have always strived and overcome all difficulties and hardships in training and competition. Not only have they achieved many glorious sports achievements domestically and internationally, but sports have also become an important field of work for the Vietnam People's Army, contributing to spreading the spirit of physical training following the example of the great President Ho Chi Minh throughout the army and the entire nation. Army sports have been recognized by many as a special "branch" of the Vietnam People's Army, as instructed by General Nguyen Chi Thanh.

According to VNA/News Agency

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