Vietnam U23 prodigy awarded prestigious certificate of merit

The People's Committee of Lam Dong province honored player Nguyen Le Phat with a Certificate of Merit to acknowledge his role in winning the SEA Games 33 title and securing third place at the U23 Asian Championship alongside Vietnam’s youth squads.

The People's Committee of Lam Dong province recently decided to award the Chairman’s Certificate of Merit to the player Nguyen Le Phat, a member of Vietnam’s national youth teams, to recognize the outstanding contributions of this young player to the nation’s football. This is not only a personal honor for an excellent athlete but also a source of pride for Lam Dong sports, as a locally developed player shines on regional and continental stages.

According to the decision issued on February 6, Nguyen Le Phat (resident of Quang Tan commune, Lam Dong province) was commended for his impressive performances with Vietnam’s youth teams. Specifically, he was part of the U22 Vietnam squad that won the gold medal in men's football at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 33) in 2025, and also featured in the U23 Vietnam team that earned the bronze medal at the 2026 U23 Asian Championship finals.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in Nguyen Le Phat’s career, as the 19-year-old has already gained valuable experience and proven himself in highly competitive tournaments. At SEA Games 33, he and his teammates overcame many strong regional rivals to bring home the prestigious gold medal for Vietnamese football. Following that, at the U23 Asian Championship, the Vietnam U23 team left a strong impression by securing the bronze medal, reinforcing the growing stature of Vietnamese youth football on the continental map.

According to the Training and Sports Competition Center under the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Lam Dong province, Nguyen Le Phat is among the players identified and trained early within the local high-quality youth football development system. From the very beginning of his training, he demonstrated professional potential, a strong desire to improve, and good discipline—key foundations that have helped him steadily advance in his career.

Through rigorous and systematic training, Nguyen Le Phat has not only refined his playing skills but also matured in terms of resilience and professional attitude. His perseverance, positive competitive spirit, and quick adaptation to tough environments have earned him the trust of the national youth team coaches, resulting in frequent opportunities to participate in important tournaments.

The award of the Certificate of Merit from the People's Committee of Lam Dong province carries great encouragement, not only for the player personally but also for the local sports movement, especially youth football. This recognition honors the relentless efforts of a young talent and motivates other young athletes from Lam Dong to strive harder, nurture their ambitions, and contribute more to Vietnamese sports in the future.