From the school playground to children's first adult lessons

(Dan Tri) - In addition to grades, more and more parents are focusing on training their children's physical fitness, willpower, teamwork ability and discipline, which cannot be learned through books alone.

Therefore, in addition to investing in their children’s soft skills development, many parents consider school sports activities as an important companion, helping their children build a solid foundation early on. Because sometimes, it is the times when children stumble and then stand up, or the bright eyes when their names are called to the competition team… that bring the first great lessons in life that no curriculum can write.

Small challenges silently forge great character

Pursuing sports from a young age sounds simple, but in reality it is a challenging journey. This is most evident on school sports fields across the country.

Notable among them is the Nestlé MILO Cup National Children's Football Tournament (U11) which has now entered its 28th season, along with the Nestlé MILO Cup Primary School Basketball Tournament which has been held continuously for the past 18 years, both of which are places where thousands of children each year have the opportunity to demonstrate their talents and nurture their passion for sports. This is not only a place for thousands of children each year to demonstrate their talents and nurture their love for sports, but also a journey for them to gradually discover , learn and develop themselves.

Nguyen Luong Hai, a member of the Hai Duong U11 team, used to be a boy lacking confidence when competing. "Many times Hai refused to go on the field because he was worried that he would make a mistake and affect the whole team," coach Nguyen Van Hai shared.

Thanks to the hard training process, the analysis and encouragement of the teacher, and the passion within him, Hai always actively listened and gradually improved his skills to confidently compete. Over time, he was trusted by the teachers to be the captain for many seasons and contributed to building a cohesive playing style for the whole team.

From school sports, Luong Hai (dribbling the ball) and many other children have gradually matured (Photo: NVCC).

Similarly, in basketball, Mr. Ta Khac Hoan - Hanoi student basketball coach - added: "Many children do not have enough mental strength. Just facing a slightly stronger opponent, they falter."

Tra My, 12 years old, who won second prize in the Nestlé MILO Cup Primary School Basketball Tournament, is a typical example. “When I first joined the Hanoi team from the local team, My was the youngest, so she was very shy and reserved. At that time, my family and teachers always encouraged me to keep trying and not give up,” said teacher Hoan. With her perseverance and athleticism, Tra My proactively interacted with and learned from her older classmates, confidently trying out advanced exercises to keep up with the team.

My’s teamwork and good coordination helped the team win the 2025 National U16 5x5 Basketball Championship. Not only My, but the entire team has grown a lot since that milestone, always encouraging each other whether they win or lose. “This is a moment that has reinforced my belief that sports can teach students many life lessons,” said Mr. Hoan.

More than achievements, team spirit and lessons learned from sports will help Tra My (holding the flag) and other children succeed in life (Photo: NVCC).

The challenges of school sports have become a catalyst for students to not only train their physical strength and will, but also mature in personality, from the ability to coordinate, work in groups, team spirit and solidarity to support each other... All are the fundamental skills for their success in the future.

“The U11 and U13 football tournament is where football talents are discovered"

As one of the first people to lay the foundation for the National Children's Football Tournament nearly 30 years ago, Mr. Nguyen Phan Khue - Editor-in-Chief of the Young Pioneers and Children Newspaper - believes that sports is one of the factors that bring comprehensive development to children, and from these tournaments, many "golden generations" for Vietnamese sports have been created.

“Talented players in the national team such as Van Hau, Quang Hai, Duy Manh... were all discovered while participating in national youth and children's football tournaments organized by the newspaper,” said Mr. Nguyen Phan Khue.

Compared to a few decades ago, when most of the attention was focused on professional adult sports, organizing playgrounds for children was a long-term bet. “Back then, playing youth football was a disadvantage. But we believed that if we wanted Vietnam to have a strong national team, we had to start with the youth,” Mr. Khue shared.

Now, after nearly three decades, the 28th edition of the Nestlé MILO Cup National Children's Football Tournament (U11) is entering its exciting competition phase. On the field, the 10 and 11-year-old players put all their effort into each pass. On the sidelines, parents are moved to see their children grow through each fall and the courage to stand up.

Mr. Nguyen Phan Khue, Editor-in-Chief of Thieu Nien Tien Phong and Nhi Dong Newspaper, Head of the Organizing Committee of the National Children's Football Tournament (U11) - Nestlé MILO Cup 2025.

At the age of 10 or 11, not many children understand the word "tactics" clearly. But what they remember most are sometimes the tears and hugs of encouragement from teachers after failures, or the boxes of milk given out after each energy-boosting match.

There are famous players who recount that their most profound childhood memory is lining up after every match to drink MILO milk with their teammates - that memory has always accompanied them on the path of pursuing their passion for football to this day.

For the sustainable development of school sports, cooperation from many sides is needed. Schools play a role in nurturing discipline and skills; families are spiritual supports; coaches play the role of companions and inspiration; and businesses are willing to invest in future generations.

In that picture, long-term partners such as Nestlé MILO have contributed to creating a solid foundation for school sports. Through playgrounds such as the National Children's Football Tournament, Primary School Basketball Tournament and school playgrounds under the Dynamic Vietnam program, a generation of young Vietnamese people are gradually being exposed to sports at an early age, and are being physically and mentally trained in a healthy environment.

Perhaps among the thousands of children who are gradually growing up through school playgrounds today, there will be some who will become the new pride of Vietnamese sports. Or they will carry what they have learned from sports to be more confident on the path they choose later.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/tu-san-choi-hoc-duong-den-nhung-bai-hoc-truong-thanh-dau-doi-cua-tre-20250726200457142.htm