Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that the Vietnamese Government always creates favourable conditions for football to develop healthily and sustainably in the country while welcoming Gianni Infantino, President of the world football governing body FIFA on February 8.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) presents a souvenir to FIFA President Gianni Infantino

The PM affirmed that in Vietnam, this sport receives special attention of the entire society, which was reflected through the way Vietnamese fans celebrated the U23 team’s success as the runner-up at the AFC U23 Championship after losing 1-2 to Uzbekistan in Changzhou, China.

The team’s matches strongly inspired the national pride and unity among Vietnamese people, and created a festive atmosphere across Vietnam. Their performances were also acknowledged and appreciated by foreign experts and media, he added.

FIFA President Infantino said he was impressed by the enthusiasm of Vietnamese football lovers.

He thanked for the Vietnamese Government and people’s support for the development of football, affirming that Vietnam is becoming a role model in the sport development process in the region.

Infantino reported that FIFA is developing a school football project in Vietnam, so it wants to receive the Vietnamese Government’s assistance in terms of policies and mechanisms in order to inspire the love of football among both male and female students.

PM Phuc spoke highly of FIFA’s back for Vietnamese football, adding that the country hopes to receive more help from FIFA and its president, especially in coach and referee training programmes and training for young players.

In the past years, FIFA has sent yearly lecturers and equipment to hold short training courses for Vietnamese football coaches, apart from funding local football tournaments and amateur football events.

Vietnam was recently selected as one of the participants in a pilot programme to develop women’s football in 18 months.-VNA