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Removing the "bottleneck" with naturalized players and overseas Vietnamese
A specific example, previously, people applying for Vietnamese nationality had to have documents proving Vietnamese nationality and had to renounce their foreign nationality. According to the amended and supplemented Article 13, "Vietnamese people residing abroad who have not lost Vietnamese nationality and do not have documents proving Vietnamese nationality as prescribed must request the Vietnamese representative agency abroad to confirm their Vietnamese nationality."
Or according to the old regulation in Article 21 of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality, people applying for Vietnamese nationality submit their application to the Department of Justice of their place of residence. This regulation makes it very difficult for overseas Vietnamese players to apply for Vietnamese nationality. In the case of goalkeeper Nguyen Filip, he had to struggle a lot to succeed and is now playing for the Hanoi Police. He was also called up to the Vietnamese national team, holding the number 1 position in goal.
Article 19, amended and supplemented, also has very favorable provisions for both overseas Vietnamese and foreign players, that is, those who apply for Vietnamese nationality have a biological father or mother or paternal and maternal grandfathers or maternal and paternal grandparents who are Vietnamese citizens; have made special contributions to the cause of building and defending the Vietnamese Fatherland; are beneficial to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, can be granted Vietnamese nationality without having to meet the following conditions: knowing Vietnamese enough to integrate into the Vietnamese community, currently residing in Vietnam, having resided in Vietnam for 5 years or more up to the time of applying for Vietnamese nationality, and being able to ensure a living in Vietnam.
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The defeat against Malaysia's naturalized foreign players put significant pressure on the Vietnamese team and VFF. |
At the same time, these cases can also retain foreign nationality if they meet two conditions: having relatives who are Vietnamese citizens and being permittedby the President . These cases must submit their applications to Vietnamese representative agencies abroad if they reside abroad.
Encourage but do not abuse
The above amendments are expected to create conditions for Vietnamese sports , including football, to attract resources from overseas Vietnamese and naturalized players. The trend of using naturalized players is currently increasing strongly in Southeast Asia. After Singapore, many countries are now using naturalized players such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, etc.
The Malaysian team with a squad consisting of many naturalized players just defeated the Vietnamese team of coach Kim Sang-sik in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup. This result put significant pressure on the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) as well as Mr. Kim Sang-sik.
Vietnam also uses naturalized players, but the number is limited and recently only includes two faces: striker Nguyen Xuan Son and Cao Pendant Quang Vinh.
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Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines tend to use many naturalized players to compete for achievements. |
Not limited to football, some countries such as the Philippines and Thailand also use naturalized athletes in other sports such as athletics, creating a huge challenge for this key sport of Vietnam in the SEA Games arena. A typical example is runner Joshua Atkinson (Australian origin), who won 4 gold medals at the 31st SEA Games. Philippine volleyball has recently "introduced" 2 prominent naturalized faces, Van Sickle Brooke and Phillips Mar Jana, or before that, Kristina Marie Knot (athletics, American origin).
Responding to Tien Phong, Deputy Director of the Department of Sports and Physical Training Nguyen Hong Minh said that the revised Law on Nationality creates conditions for Vietnamese sports to increase quality athletes. The sports industry will study and implement the regulations. However, Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh also said that in addition to encouraging overseas Vietnamese athletes of Vietnamese origin, the use of naturalized athletes needs to consider cultural factors, as well as the long-term impact on the development of Vietnamese sports.
“I think the use of naturalized athletes should not be widespread but should be selective and take into account cultural and traditional factors, without placing too much emphasis on achievements. If we only pursue achievements, we may deviate from the development direction of sports,” said Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh.
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Each country has its own way of investing and developing sports, associated with its own cultural characteristics, identity and traditions. |
In fact, football is a pioneer in using naturalized and overseas Vietnamese players. However, on this issue, President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Tran Quoc Tuan also shares the view that Vietnam needs to consider many aspects when using naturalized players. Accordingly, if naturalized players are used widely, Vietnam can have a strong team in 1-2 years but the domestic system will be weakened.
“Meanwhile, the sustainable development of domestic clubs is the foundation for us to develop further. If we use many naturalized players, the motivation of domestic players may be affected, and youth training will also face difficulties. We also cannot ignore the factors of identity, culture and pride,” said Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan.
Source: https://tienphong.vn/su-dung-vdv-nhap-tich-khuyen-khich-tai-nang-nhung-khong-dat-nang-thanh-tich-post1756738.tpo
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