The awards have been organised annually by Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper since 1995, aiming to honour the best Vietnamese football players of the year. The awards are widely regarded as the most prestigious trophies for Vietnamese football.
One of the significant criteria for the awards is that the selected players not only make significant contributions to their clubs and the national teams, but also have strong moral character.
Addressing the event, Nguyen Nhat, Deputy Editor-in-chief of Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper and head of the organising committee, said that the press conference took place four months ahead of the poll for the awards in order to gather contributory opinions from sport experts and correspondents on the awards’ content and rules.
The organising committee will then review the regulations and rules of the awards to ensure the creation of a fair and level playing ground for participating players, and to avoid the difficulties faced during the polling process in the previous years, he stated.
The Vietnamese Golden Ball Awards 2018 will feature seven prize categories, including the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ball for male players; the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ball for female players; the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ball for futsal players; the best foreign player; the best young male player (aged under 21); the best young female player (aged under 21); and the fans’ favourite player according to an SMS message poll.
As scheduled, the vote will take place right after the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 concludes on December 12, and a gala will be held in late December to present prizes to the honoured players.
Last year, veteran goalie Dang Thi Kieu Trinh claimed the Golden Ball as the best female player, while Dinh Thanh Trung was voted the winner of the Best Male Player prize in recognition of his vital role in Quang Nam FC’s overall triumph in the V-League.
