VietNamNet Bridge – Tran Duy Long was elected as Chairman of HCM City Football Federation today, October 26, after Le Hung Dung unexpectedly announced to resign from his posts ahead of the federation’s regular meeting.
Not only Dung but three other members of the federation resigned, including Vice chairman Tran Le Nguyen, Secretary General Duong Vu Lam and member Pham Huynh Tam Lang.

“I am assigned with many posts and have actually no time to fulfill the tasks. It is similar to Duong Vu Lam and Tran Le Nguyen. Tam Lang’s health is not very good,” explained Dung, who is also vice chairman of the Vietnam Football Federation and CEO of the executive boards of the Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) and Eximbank.

Dung rejected allegations that he was quitting the post to prepare for a new role at the VPF share-holding company, in charge of organizing competition at top football leagues of Vietnam. He confirmed he has not planned to work for the company.

Dung became HCM City Football Federation’s Chairman in 2008, replacing Tran Van Tao. During his term, HCM City’s football went up and down. In 2009, the HCM City Club felt from the V-League to the First Division tournament. It is lucky that Navibank Saigon purchased Military Zone 4 Club so Saigon still has one team at V-League, the country’s top football event.
In 2010, both Saigon’s football teams performed poorly. Dung stated that if one of the two teams felt, he would resign. However, both HCM City Club and Navibank Saigon escaped death at the last minute. Dung lodged his request to step down from the post at HCM City Football Federation but was refused by the executive board.

“We will always stand by the HCM City Football Federation and support the agency whenever possible in the coming years,” Dung said.

The new chair, Tran Duy Long, is a former member of the national football squad.

HCM City Football Federation’s executive board currently has 11 members.

PV