The 21st Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television – C.P. Vietnam Children’s Football Tournament 2026: Lifelong bond with the tournament

From a young participant in the Children’s Football Tournament organized by Dong Nai Newspaper in 2013, Ta Van Chien has returned to the same tournament as a coach. He is currently a teacher at Nguyen Huu Canh Primary School in Binh Loc Ward.

Ta Van Chien also manages a community football class for children aged 5-15 in Binh Loc Ward.

This is an inspiring story about a young teacher who is helping cultivate a love of football among generations of students.

From tournament player to coach

For Ta Van Chien, football has long been an integral part of his childhood memories. He started playing the sport on empty lots in his neighborhood when he was six years old. Every day after school, he would join his friends for football. “For me, back then, just having a ball was enough to have a truly beautiful childhood,” recalled Chien.

Soon, his passion was reinforced by his natural talent. In 2013, he was selected for the Long Khanh football team to compete in the Children’s Football Tournament organized by Dong Nai Newspaper, now Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television. It was his first opportunity to participate in a major football tournament for children. The experience of wearing his local team’s jersey and competing before a large audience remains one of his most memorable experiences.

What Chien remembers most, however, is not the match results but the days spent training with his teammates, encouraging one another before each game, and sharing every emotion after the final whistle. “It was those experiences that nurtured my passion for football and became the motivation for me to continue pursuing this sport,” said Chien.

Ta Van Chien (right) is pictured during his time with the Dong Nai Football Talent Team.

Following the tournament, Chien was selected for the Dong Nai Football Talent Team. There, the young player received systematic training and went on to represent the Dong Nai U13, U15, U17, U19, and U21 teams. That period enabled Chien to gain extensive professional experience while developing resilience, discipline, and a strong competitive spirit. “Although I did not choose the path of becoming a professional player later on, those years of training in a youth football environment became a valuable foundation for me to gain more experience in teaching and coaching young children today,” said Chien.

After many years with Dong Nai youth football, Chien decided to take a different career path. Upon graduating from the University of Sports Ho Chi Minh City, he returned to work at Nguyen Huu Canh Primary School in Binh Loc Ward. After more than two years at the school, the young teacher finds his greatest joy in accompanying his students and sharing his passion with them.

“Not everyone becomes a professional player, but everyone can learn positive values from sports. I chose to become a teacher because I love teaching and want to accompany children over the long term,” said Chien.

Inspiring a love of football

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Chien has for many years organized community football classes for children aged 5-15 in the local area. His goal is to provide an environment where every child who loves football has the opportunity to receive systematic training, improve physical fitness, and develop comprehensively. Alongside technical instruction, he devotes considerable attention during each training session to fostering teamwork, discipline, self-confidence, and a positive lifestyle among his students.

According to Chien, the football field is not merely a place where children learn to play the sport but also where they learn to share, overcome setbacks, and mature over time. As children are increasingly attracted to smartphones and video games, encouraging them to spend time on the football field has become a significant challenge. “I always try to make every training session something they look forward to by helping them learn through play and encouraging them rather than creating pressure. When they experience joy and see their progress, they naturally maintain their love for football,” said Chien.

For Chien, the greatest reward is not how many students become outstanding players but witnessing their personal development. Some children who were initially shy, communicated little, and had limited physical strength have gradually become more confident, more outgoing, and better able to integrate with their peers. “I hope that as they grow up, they will become good citizens, have good morals, respect others, maintain discipline, and strive toward their goals. If one day one of them becomes a great player, that would be a great joy, but what matters even more is that they become kind people,” said Chien.

Speaking about his continuing connection with the Children’s Football Tournament, Chien said that in May 2026, the Nguyen Huu Canh Primary School football team under his guidance won the Binh Loc Ward U11 Football Tournament. Based on that result, local leaders entrusted him with coaching the Binh Loc Ward U11 team at the Children’s Football Tournament 2026.

“Thirteen years ago, I was a boy excited to step onto the field to compete. Today, I stand on the sidelines guiding and encouraging the players. Many times while watching them play, I see my younger self. That makes me appreciate even more the value the tournament brings and provides me greater motivation to continue contributing to youth football,” said Chien.

Although the Binh Loc Ward U11 team did not secure a place in the final round, Chien said the result did not diminish the significance of the journey. In his view, the most valuable outcome was that the children had the opportunity to compete, gain experience, learn to overcome pressure, and mature after every match. “Youth football needs achievements, but achievements are not everything. After the tournament, both the teacher and the students have gained many valuable lessons that will help us continue to improve,” said Chien.

Ta Van Chien, a teacher at Nguyen Huu Canh Primary School:

“Football has taught me discipline, a sense of responsibility, perseverance, teamwork, and how to bounce back from setbacks. Those lessons have helped me not only in sports but also in my studies, work, and everyday life.”

By An Nhon – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho