VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has compiled a shortlist of three candidates to be elected as VFF's chairman.
Le Khanh Hai (third from the left), Pham Van Tuan (second on the right) and Le Hung Dung (first on the right).
The three candidates include Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Khanh Hai, Pham Van Tuan vice head of VFF and General Department of Sports and Physical Training and VFF Vice Chairman Le Hung Dung.
The General Department Of Sport and Physical Training will send the list to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) this week for approval before submitting it to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
However, the list might be shortened to only two. Currently, both Le Khanh Hai and Pham Van Tuan are officials at the MCST. "Normally, the ministry only nominates one of its officials for the position." a leader in the sport department said.
Vuong Bich Thang, head of the General Department of Sporting and Physical Training said the ministry has not decided who to nominate this time.
"The nominee names are often decided 30 days before the VFF congress start. But we respect the opinions of the clubs and members." Thang said.
Compared to Dung and Tuan, Hai is considered a new face and gets less attention than the others. Dung and Tuan are also largely supported to the chairman position for the next term.According to The Thao va Van Hoa (Sports and Culture Newspaper), Le Hung Dung is known as a valuable right hand man when he was VFF vice chairman during the two previous terms. He has managed to find sponsors and funds that worth dozens of billions of VND to VFF. However, there are opinions that Dung is only suitable to be vice chairman.
On the other hand, Pham Van Tuan was introduced to be VFF vice chairman just several months ago. Rumours said that this was a step to lead to the chairman position. Tuan also has more connections and has worked in the football scene since 1975.
Of the 45 members that are nominated to the executive board, 8 were named as potential candidates for chairman position. However, five members withdrew after the list was announced.
The major change in key personnel will be decided in the 7th VFF Congress which will open on June 5.
Source: DTriNews