The sound of enthusiastic and excited children was all over Hue last week, when the 3rd Cross Boarder Norway-Vietnam-Lao-Thailand Cup was arranged.
– The attendance in this cross boarder tournament has shown that the playground we have created together for children is very attractive, useful and can satisfy the needs of playing football, cultural exchange, making friends and enhancing life skills, said the Vice Director of Hue Department of Education and Training Mr. Hoang Duc Binh in his opening speech.
The Norway-Vietnam-Lao-Thailand cross boarder cup is a football tournament for primary and secondary school children, and children with disabilities. The cup is organized by the Norwegian NGO Football for All in Vietnam (FFAV). FFAV supports the development of grass roots football for children in Vietnam and was started by the The Football Association of Norway (NFF) in 2001.
– We want to create a safe and secure leisure activity for all; regardless of gender, ethnic background, social status, disability or anything that sometimes keeps us humans separated, says Anders Krystad Director of FFAV.
Norway’s ambassador to Vietnam, Ståle Risa, and a delegation from the Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi, was very happy to be a part of different the different life skills games, the three final matches and the closing ceremony of the cup on May 26th.
– Football activities can be an arena where children and youth can learn important life skills, said the Ambassador.
The delegation from the Norwegian Embassy also had the opportunity to see and learn more about Football for All in Vietnam’s core activities, when visiting primary and secondary schools in Hue.
– Our most important activities are the regular, daily activities of these children in their local neighborhoods; playing football and having fun with friends from local and neighboring schools, and in close collaboration with the parents, the local schools, local authorities, is the core of our activity, Director Krystad explained.
Boys and girls from Quang Tri, Hai Phong, Thua Thien Hue, Football for All in Laos, Savanakhet (Laos) and Mukdahan (Thailand) smiled and bowed proudly when they received their medals and diplomas from the Norwegian Ambassador during the award ceremony.
