Celebrating 20 years of Vietnam Football Federation: From Congress to Congress
This year, with the preparation for the 6th Congress, VFF has also celebrated 20 years of releasing Executive Committee Term 1 (1989-1993), marking the new development of Vietnamese Football.
Term 1 (1989-1993): The first step of international integration
President: Trinh Ngo Chu (1989-1991), Duong Nghiep Chi (1991-1993)
Vice-president: Le Buu, Tran Vinh Loc, Ngo Xuan Quynh
General Secretary: Le The Tho
14 years after the independent day and 9 years since the first National Championship was held (under the direct leadership of General Department of Sports and Physical Training), the first national congress of Vietnamese football’s people was held at Ba Dinh club (HN) in order to officially establish an social organisation on behalf of the state to run the national football activities with official rules, towards the goal of integration with international football. The most notable event is the attention of the Vietnam Football Team on SEA Games 16 (1991) at Philippines and the qualifying tournament of World Cup 94, officially marking the re-integration of Vietnamese Football with the international arena.
Term 2 (1993-1997): The first impression on regional arena
President: Doan Van Xe
Vice-president: Nguyen Si Hien, Nguyen Le Phong, Nguyen Tan Minh.
General Secretary: Tran Bay
At the end of that year, SEA Games 17 (Singapore) continued to be an unsuccessful tournament of Vietnames Football Team. Though, only 2 years later, at the 18th SEA Games (in Chiang Mai, Thailand) in 1995, Vietnamese team with coach Karl Heinz Weigang (Germany) made its first impression with a glorious silver medal. 1 year later, Vietnamese Football Team won the bronze medal of Tiger Cup 96, officially affirming the positions in the regional arena.
Term 3 (1997-2001): The first “brick” of the professionalisation process.
President: Mai Van Muon
Vice-president: Nguyen Si Hien, Ngo Tu Ha, Le The Tho, Tran Thu Dong
General Secretary: Pham Ngoc Vien
VFF’s Congress Term 3 at 10/199 with the attention of 155 delegates elected the Executive Committee including 35 members.
At this time, Vietnamese Football Team continued to gain the bronze medal at 19th SEA Games (1997), the silver medal at 20th SEA Games (1999), but failed at Tiger Cup 2000 (only ranked 4th). Realising that it was inseparable from the general development of international football, the leaders of VFF decided to direct VFF’s activities in the professionalisation process with the introduction of Professional Football Regulations and organised the first V.League (the new name of National Championship) :2000-2001 (SLNA champion).
Term 4 (2001-2005): Enhance the value of commercial rights
President: Ho Duc Viet (2001-2003), Mai Liem Truc (2003-2005)
Vice-president: Tran Duy Ly, Tran Van Mui
General Secretary: Pham Ngoc Vien
Acting General Secretary (from 1-6/2005): Phan Anh Tu
The 4th Congress at 8/2001 elected the Executive Committee with 41 members. Mr Ho Duc Viet – Party Central Committee Member, Thai Nguyen Provincial Party Secretary at this time – was elected as President of VFF. Though, due to working conditions, in early 2003, Mr Ho Duc Viet requested to withdraw from the President position. Permanent Vice-president Tran Duy Ly was elected as Acting President of VFF. 6/2003, Mr Mai Liem Truc – Permanent Deputy Minister of Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications was additionally elected to Executive Committee, after that was elected as VFF’s president by Executive Committee.
The most notable event at this term was the VFF’ s decision about returning the commercial right of advertising for the Clubs after the Strata partner withdrew. This was the right and timely decision, contributing to enhancing the value of commercial rights of professional football, especially when a lot of large businesses choose to invest in football to promote their brands. Until now, according to the estimates of experts, the advertising value of the whole V.League has increased approximately 7-8 times compared to the time Strata sponsors.
Term 5 (2005-2009): The strong development step!
President: Nguyen Trong Hy
Vice-president: Le The Tho (from 6/2005 to 12/2005), Le Hung Dung, Vu Quang Vinh, Duong Vu Lam (from 1/2007)
The Executive Committee was released on 6/2005 with 39 members.
VFF Term 5 achieved many successes on the basis of inheritance and development (most notably was the victory of the National Team at AFF Cup 2008 and the successful hosting of Asian Cup 2007 Final Tournament, Women’s Asian Cup 2008 Final Tournament). However, the Vietnamese Football’s people understand that being happy with these achievements doesn’t mean being complacent. VFF Term 6 (and the following terms) need to continue to be creative, innovative, worthy of being the leader in bringing Vietnamese football to be a professional fast and firm.
