Teoh Kim Wei, Deputy General Director of SABECO (right), received recognition as the main sponsor of the Seven-As-Side National Championship ‘Bia Saigon Cup 2023’. — Photo courtesy of Vietfootball

HÀ NỘI — National seven-a-side championship ‘Bia Saigon Cup 2023’ (Việt Nam Premier League–Season 4, or VPL-S4) was officially launched on Wednesday through a partnership between Vietfootball Joint Stock Company and Bia Saigon, the leading brand of the Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (SABECO).

This is the second year of Bia Saigon being the league's main sponsor.

The year 2023 marks a 10-year journey of the seven-a-side format in Việt Nam, with HPL’s first tournament being held in 2013.

This VPL, known as the leading tournament in the country, has been instrumental in promoting this format over the past 10 years.

The format has long been considered an exciting platform for Việt Nam’s football aficionados, allowing them to showcase their skill, talent, and passion for football.

In 2022, VPL officially changed its name to Bia Saigon Cup 2022, and following the success in 2022, Bia Saigon has committed to extending its sponsorship as title sponsor for another two years.

To boost international recognition of seven-a-side Football, Vietfootball and Bia Saigon launched the International Seven-A-Side Football Championship – Bia Saigon Cup 2022 last December 2022 to promote this football format to an international audience.

This inaugural edition, held in Hà Nội, has attracted teams from Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, providing a platform for cross-border competition and showcasing the talent of Vietnamese players.

The launching ceremony of the Seven-A-Side National Championship ‘Bia Saigon Cup 2023’. — Photo courtesy of Vietfootball

This year, Bia Saigon Cup 2023 will be held in three regions: Northern Region HPL-S10 (HPL - Season 10) in Hà Nội; Southern Region (SPL - Season 5) in HCM City and Central Coast; and Highland Region ĐPL-S2 (Daklak Premier League - Season 2) in Đắk Lắk.

Eight of the strongest teams from these three regions will compete in the national championship in August 2023.

In conjunction with the Coordinating Office of the Plan to Develop the Physique of the Vietnamese People for the period 2011-30, VietFootball also took part in the cooperation agreement entitled “Organising sports tournaments in the Framework of the Plan to Develop the Physique of the Vietnamese People for the Period 2011-30” by organising National 7-A-Side Championship.

The support and cooperation from Việt Nam Sports Administration, Việt Nam Football Federation, Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism, local communities, and all sponsors, especially Bia Saigon, are essential and acknowledged in sustaining VietFootball’s mission to spread the love of football and physical exercise in Việt Nam.

Bia Saigon Cup 2023 is also the sixth year that VietFootball enjoys the full collaboration of the Việt Nam Television Cable Corporation (VTVCab). Matches and accompanying programmes of the 2022 season were broadcast on the VTVCab system, including television, OTT, and social media (ON Football, On Sports, On Sports+).

Phạm Ngọc Tuấn, general girector of VietFootball, said: “In the context of the economy facing many difficulties, we continue to receive the companionship of Bia Saigon for the two seasons of 2023 and 2024 as committed to the community. Holding hands in difficulties, we believe that with the strong support of Bia Saigon, we will "break the limit together" to bring 7-a-side football in Việt Nam to new heights.

"We would like to express our sincere thanks to Bia Saigon, General Department of Physical Education and Sports, Việt Nam Football Federation, Scheme 641, Việt Nam Cable Television Corporation, Phù Đổng Sports Development Joint Stock Company, sponsors, media companions, clubs, players and spectators have been side by side in the development journey for the past 10 years.

"VietFootball hopes to continue to receive your support so that we can develop a stronger and more sustainable 7-a-side football in Việt Nam, contributing to the development of Vietnamese football in the long term”.

Teoh Kim Wei, Deputy General Director of SABECO, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting in Việt Nam: “As a long-standing advocate of Việt Nam’s sport scene, Bia Saigon has consistently demonstrated its dedication through practical contribution to both domestic and international competitions.

"In addition to being the main sponsor of the National Football Teams, we recognise the importance of nurturing grassroots football and believe that our partnership with VietFootball through Bia Saigon Cup for another two years will play a significant role in fostering the growth of football talents in our nation. Simultaneously, we aim to promote healthy lifestyles in our communities.

"This partnership further strengthens our commitment to bringing out the best football of Việt Nam.” — VNS