CECO Men's Mini Football Team Participates and Achieves Outstanding Distinction at the 2022 Vinachem Sports Festival (Northern Region)
The 2022 Sports Festival for Cadres and Workers of Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem) - Northern Region took place over three days from June 8 to June 10, 2022 at Lam Thao Fertilizers & Chemicals JSC Sports Complex. The festival brought together nearly 400 athletes from 17 delegations across grassroots trade unions affiliated with the Vietnam Chemical Industry Trade Union, competing in 5 sports: football, air volleyball, tennis, badminton, and table tennis.
The CECO sports delegation, headed by Comrade Nguyen Van Quy – Chairman of the Company's Trade Union, along with nearly 20 athletes, entered competitions in men's mini football, badminton, and tennis with a spirit of exchange and fellowship.
With outstanding dedication from the coaching staff and the formidable fighting spirit of the men's mini football squad, CECO delivered an unforgettable performance and emerged as the tournament's greatest dark horse, eliminating traditional heavyweights to claim 2nd place and secure the prestigious Silver Medal in mini football.
In the group stage, CECO was drawn alongside Vietnam Apatite Co., Ltd. (Apatite) and the Institute of Industrial Chemistry (IIC). Despite facing a disadvantage of having to play two matches in a single day, CECO displayed unyielding solidarity and fighting spirit, claiming clean-sheet victories over both opponents (3-0 against Apatite, 1-0 against IIC). Eliminating Apatite—the tournament's defending runners-up—was hailed as the biggest shock of this year's championship.
In the semi-finals on the final matchday, CECO faced DAP - Vinachem JSC (DAP1), another powerhouse that had just knocked out bronze medalists Sao Vang Rubber JSC with a 7-2 win. With composure and resilience, CECO triumphed 2-1 over DAP1.
The final took place just over an hour following the grueling semi-final. Due to physical exhaustion and roster depth differences, CECO conceded to hosts Lam Thao Fertilizers & Chemicals JSC (the reigning champions).
Finishing 2nd and earning the Silver Medal, CECO's football team qualified for the National Vinachem Sports Festival in Da Nang the following year. This marks CECO's highest sporting achievement in decades of industry games—a proud milestone commemorating the 55th anniversary of CECO's establishment (May 29, 1967 – May 29, 2022).
Photographs from the event:
CECO Information Management – HR & Admin Dept.
