PM Phạm Minh Chính pictured with Australian PM Anthony Albanese and the Việt Nam Women’s national football team at the event. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

Anh Đức

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were present at the UNIS Hanoi on Sunday, in an event to promote women empowerment in sports.

Organised by UNICEF in cooperation with the Australian Embassy in Việt Nam, the event is a part of the campaign Football Without Limits, which aims to raise awareness and promote inclusivity for girls in football, as well as sports in general.

Both PMs emphasised the importance of sports in empowering women to their fullest potential, and are pleased that both countries' women's national teams have qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup, which will take place in Australia and New Zealand.

"I hope that both teams do well at the event," said Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính.

Australia Ambassador to Việt Nam Andrew Goledzinowski added: "Sports plays a very important role in the culture of both Việt Nam and Australia. We want to promote the development of sports for women and girls, as well as the power of sports in changing lives and encouraging gender equality."

At the event, girls from the Hanoi University Football Club, students at UNIS Hanoi, as well as the Hà Nội Under-17 women's football team were selected to train with the Australian Under-20 women's football team, fresh from their 5-0 victory against Lebanon in the 2024 AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers in Việt Trì on Saturday.

Under the scorching heat in the afternoon, the Young Matildas' coach Leah Blayney gave a thorough session for the Vietnamese girls, whose determination garnered some applause from the young Australian pros.

"I had so much fun today," said Ngọc Thủy, a player at the Hanoi University's women's team.

"Although the weather is hot, I did not feel very tired, thanks to the coaches' encouragement."

The Việt Nam national football team, which is currently hard at work preparing for the World Cup, was also present at the event.

National team Head Coach Mai Đức Chung presented PM Albanese with a Việt Nam national team jersey, as well as a signed football as gifts to the Australian leader.

Chung's Golden Star Women's Warriors will have less than a month to prepare for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and will leave soon for friendlies against Germany and Poland in June, before departing for New Zealand on July 5.

PM Chính sent words of encouragement to the squad, saying: "Don't be too pressured playing in the World Cup. Everybody wants to win in football, but let's win against ourselves first so that we go into every match with the highest effort.

"I propose that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as well as the Việt Nam Football Federation provide the women's team with the best support." — VNS