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| Fasan Peter (Anh Quyen FC) - one of the foreign players participating in the Ancient Capital's grassroots football arena |
Professional
In the grassroots sports scene in Hue, grassroots football is emerging as a notable highlight. No longer merely spontaneous matches, played “just for fun”, the movement is gradually taking shape with increasing scale, quality, and influence. According to fans, this success does not stem from a single factor, but rather from the synergy of many elements, from passion, systematic organization, and the effective use of media’s reach in the 4.0 era.
To understand this recognition from the spectators, it is worth recalling the launch of the Thua Thien Hue (now Hue City) Premier League Season 1 (TPL - S1) in 2021. This was the first time Hue hosted a professional-style 7-a-side grassroots football tournament, modeled after similar tournaments in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Besides 4 strong teams of Hue at that time, including Scavi Hue, Truong An FC, Thuy Tan FC, and Union FC, the tournament also gathered top teams in the Central region, including Phui Dong Ha (Quang Tri), Anh Phap FC (Nghe An), Le Nam FC (formerly Quang Binh), and Hieu Hoa Aquahaco (Da Nang).
With the participation of numerous strong teams from different provinces and cities, along with a lineup of top-tier players such as Tuan Vinh, Capdervila, Hanh Ozil, Hoang Cao, and Quang Tinh, etc., the tournament exceeded the scale of a local one. It created a “push” in organizational thinking, helping the Ancient Capital's grassroots football move toward professionalism both in operation and audience engagement.
Building on the “push” from the TPL - S1, Hue’s grassroots football movement has since produced many well-known figures, namely Son Neymar, Tai Tay, Hanh Balo, Phan Tay, Van Chien, Hai Gay, Duong Cris, Bao Coca, and Khai “Chuon lagoon”, etc. In addition, several grassroots football tournaments held in Hue in recent years have featured foreign players in participating teams. This not only surprised and excited fans, and signaled serious investment but also helped shape and elevate the technical standards, breathe new life into the movement, and strengthen Hue’s grassroots football position on the national grassroots football map.
Effectively harnessing the power of media
Alongside passion and expertise, the media has played a crucial role in amplifying the popularity of Hue’s grassroots football scene. During the matches of the TPL - S1, the appearance of the professional livestreaming team from Co Do Media opened a new chapter for grassroots football in Hue. Each match was no longer confined to the pitch; it became an online “party” across social media platforms, featuring high-quality visuals, engaging commentary, and a modern production format.
At the same time, the Phui Hue Facebook Fanpage serves as a “connectivity hub”, where news is updated, and memorable moments are shared; all are built around the goal of fostering community connection. As a result, grassroots football matches have attracted not only local audiences but also audiences across the country, inspiring Hue natives living far from home to participate both financially and professionally, helping lay a solid foundation for the long-term development of grassroots football in the Ancient Capital.
In this journey, the role of the Phui Hue Awards must also be acknowledged. The event honors outstanding individuals and teams who have contributed to the vitality of grassroots football in Hue over the past year.
Although only 5 years old, the Phui Hue Awards has already established itself as a central event, an opportunity to reflect on an emotional year of Hue’s grassroots football community. Moreover, with an increasingly comprehensive award system featuring categories such as “Golden Boot”, “Golden Gloves”, “Best Young Player”, “Impressive Veteran”, and “Outstanding Team”… Hue’s grassroots football scene is no longer an improvised pastime, but is approaching the model of professional football.
From a spontaneous movement, Hue’s grassroots football has now grown into a remarkable model that not only provides a playground but also builds its own distinctive brand name and identity. “The grassroots football model in Hue is demonstrating an effective direction through its philosophy of putting the community at the center, using media as leverage, and using recognition as motivation. If this synergy is sustained, the journey ahead of the Ancient Capital’s grassroots football promises more milestones worth anticipating,” shared Mr. Ngo Phuoc Tuan, founder of the Phui Hue Awards.