Football Tournament Connects Vietnamese Community in Okinawa (Japan)

Consul General Vu Binh and members of the Organizing Committee of the AVO Open Cup. Source: baoquocte.vn

The Association of Vietnamese in Okinawa (AVO) in collaboration with non-profit organization Nihon Vietnam Worldmate (NVW) recently organized the first AVO Open Cup football tournament in 2022.

The 2022 AVO Open Cup football tournament is part of a series of events to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the National Reunification Day (April 30) and the International Labor Day (May 1), as well as an activity to prepare for the official debut of AVO (expected on June 18).

Under the auspices of the Consulate General of Vietnam in Fukuoka, and the support of Japanese donors as well as in the community in Okinawa, within just one month of preparation, the provisional Executive Committee of AVO decided was to organize for the first time a football tournament bearing the name of the association.

The tournament brings together strong teams from localities in Okinawa province, including FC Co Dam, FC Hoi Tu, FC Naha, FC Nghe An, FC Okinawa, FC Thanh Chuong, FC Uruma with hundreds of student players, interns, engineers, and employees in local schools and companies.

Local public opinion is also very interested in the large-scale sporting event in the community of more than 3,000 Vietnamese people in Okinawa organized by AVO. The two largest newspapers of Okinawa Prefecture, the Okinawa Times and the Ryukyu newspaper, sent reporters to cover the tournament.

To improve the level of sports for the tournament, the Organizing Committee invited two players from Saigon Club, Pham Van Luan and Vu Hong Quan, who are playing for FC Ryukyu (a Japanese professional team in J. League 2) attend.

Seven teams take part in the 2022 AVO Open Cup. Source: baoquocte.vn

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyen Thi Huong, interim president of AVO, head of the organizing committee, emphasized that the tournament aims to create a healthy playing field for those who are passionate about the king's sport, at the same time contribute to strengthening exchanges and solidarity in the Vietnamese community living, studying and working in Okinawa prefecture.

Congratulating the tournament, Consul General Vu Binh thanked the cooperation and support of the authorities and organizations, businesses and schools in Okinawa for the tournament, especially the encouragement and support for the Vietnamese studying, working and leading stable life in the host country.

Binh shared his passion for football, expressed his sympathy and support for the desire to organize football tournaments in particular, sports and culture in general to enhance exchanges and spread positive energy among Vietnamese youth to each other and to the host country.

He approves that the Consulate General will always assist, accompany and directly participate in organizing meaningful movements and activities that contribute to building a strong, united and Vietnamese community and makes worthy contributions to the development of Vietnam-Japan relations in each locality and the whole region.

The teams compete with the spirit of friendship and fair play. Source: baoquocte.vn

They received enthusiastic cheers from spectators. Source: baoquocte.vn

Two teams FC Co Dam and FC Hoi Tu reached the final. After the tie result in the official match, the two teams entered the penalty shootout to determine the winner.

Finally, FC Co Dam won while the best player award went to player Le Van Ngoi of FC Hoi Tu, and the best goalkeeper went to goalkeeper Phan Dinh Thuan of FC Co Dam.

Consulate General Vu Binh presents the Cup championship to FC Co Dam.

The majority of the audience, both Vietnamese and Japanese friends appreciate the success of the tournament, saying it is one of the most successful tournaments and a memorable event, healthy playground for young people and an opportunity to promote exchanges and community connection.

Along with attending and supporting the organization of the first AVO Open Cup football tournament, the delegation of the Consulate General had working sessions with the AVO Interim Executive Committee, local authorities, friendship associations and a number of businesses that are or wish to have cooperative relations with Vietnam.

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