HÀ NỘI — As much as VNĐ20 billion (US$878,000) collected from the auction of the ball and jersey with the autographs of all members of U23 Việt Nam team, the runners-up of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship in January, was presented to 20 poor districts of 12 provinces nationwide in Hà Nội on March 11.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc attended the presentation ceremony, which was also attended by South Korean head coach Park Hang-seo and players of the U23 Việt Nam team, along with representatives of the 20 localities.

The districts are mostly mountainous areas in the north, Central Highlands and poor localities in the Mekong Delta.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Phúc appreciated the response organisations and people nationwide gave to the auction. 

He asked authorities of the 20 districts to use the money to build 500 houses worth VNĐ40 million (over $1,750) each for revolutionary contributors, policy beneficiary families and low-income earners.

He also encouraged Việt Nam’s football to take confident steps forwards after the excellent performance at the AFC U23 Championship to earn the trust of fans nationwide.

The Government leader also called on authorities and sectors to follow the spirit of U23 Việt Nam to make strong reforms and be united and determined to develop the country.

The ball and the jersey were initially gifts from the U23 team to PM Phúc.

On February 1, the PM handed over the gifts to Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Đào Ngọc Dung and Minister of Information and Communications Trương Minh Tuấn to put up for auction.

The auction held from February 6 to February 11 attracted people from all social strata. Real estate corporation FLC Group initially bid VNĐ12 billion ($526,800) for both items and then raised the sum to VNĐ20 billion to win the auction. — VNS