Opening ceremony of girl’s football talent identification programme (Phase 2)

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Trần Anh Tú – Vice President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF); Mr. Nguyễn Quốc Hội – Standing Member of the VFF Executive Committee; Mr. Nguyễn Văn Phú – General Secretary of VFF; Mr. Mai Đức Chung – Vice Chairman of the National Coaches Council; and Mr. Okiyama Masahiko – Head Coach of VFF’s women’s youth national teams, along with representatives of functional departments, parents, and outstanding players who successfully advanced beyond the preliminary round.

At the opening ceremony, VFF Vice President Trần Anh Tú emphasized that the proud achievements of Vietnamese women’s football in recent years serve as a foundation for setting higher goals in the future. Therefore, the identification and training of young talent has always been defined by the VFF as a key priority.

The recruitment programme, held within the framework of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, plays an important role in identifying promising young female players nationwide, while providing them with access to a structured, modern training environment and a long-term development pathway.

Vice President Trần Anh Tú also expressed his delight at the strong support from localities, clubs, and young players across the country. The VFF believes that this programme will help uncover many promising talents who can contribute to the youth national teams and the senior women’s national team in the future. He also encouraged the players to continue striving, nurturing their passion, and pursuing their dream of becoming professional footballers.

Representing the coaching staff, Head Coach of VFF women’s youth national teams Okiyama Masahiko expressed his gratitude to FIFA, the VFF, clubs, and local football community centres for their support and cooperation in the programme. The Japanese coach affirmed that the coaching staff’s mission is not only to identify technically skilled players but also to recognize each player’s potential for development, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and gradually grow within a professional football environment.

Representing the players participating in the selection programme, young player Dương Thị Anh Kiệt (born 2014, Đắk Lắk) shared her joy at having passed the preliminary round to take part in the training camp in Hanoi.

“For me, my love for the ball began from very simple things. It was the afternoons playing football with friends on a dirt field back in my hometown. Football is not just a sport, it is the greatest joy in my life, a place where I can truly be myself.

This is the first time many of us have been away from home and stepped onto a professional FIFA-standard pitch like this. Meeting the coaches in person—who are legends and experienced figures of Vietnamese women’s football—we feel both nervous and incredibly happy.”

Previously, on the afternoon of 18 June, the candidates and their parents gathered at the VFF headquarters to complete registration procedures and attend a briefing session on the regulations and content of the second selection phase.

On the opening day, 19 June, the players underwent blood tests, clinical health examinations, and other in-depth medical assessments.

According to the schedule, on 20 June, the participants will take part in physical ability tests, technical skill games, and 8v8 match play. On 21 June, the coaching staff will continue evaluations through additional match activities and one-on-one interviews with each player before the programme concludes later that day.

The programme for selecting and identifying women’s football talent for players born in 2013–2014 is one of the key activities under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme in Vietnam. It contributes to expanding the future talent pool and laying a solid foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnamese women’s football in the years ahead.