Former footballer Lê Công Vinh: 'Recognition is a driving force for sports and arts'

Two decades of existence for the Cống Hiến Awards not only mark the endurance of a prize but also reflect the journey of honoring creative labor values in sports and arts. For former footballer Lê Công Vinh, this recognition is a precious source of motivation that helps professionals continue to contribute.

In sports or arts, success is often measured by moments: a decisive goal, a medal, or a song that touches the public's heart. But behind those moments lies a long journey of effort, discipline, and perseverance.

Therefore, awards that honor dedication always carry special meaning because they recognize not only the results but also the entire process.

Looking back at the 20-year journey ofthe Cống Hiến Awardsinitiated and organized by Thể thao và Văn hóa Newspaper (TTXVN), it is clear that this is not merely an annual awards event.

Over time, the award has become a symbol of recognition for individuals and collectives who continuously strive in Vietnam's cultural and sports life.

Sharing the significance of this award, football legendLê Công Vinhmade notable remarks at the press conference and award announcement on the afternoon of March 5th at the TTXVN Southern Regional Information Center (Ho Chi Minh City): "Thể thao & Văn hóa Newspaper has created this award for a long time, 20 years recognizing the dedication and contributions of athletes and artists, which is truly wonderful. It is a valuable thing, providing motivation for athletes to dedicate themselves, striving and making efforts throughout the year to be recognized."

From the perspective of an athlete who has experienced the peaks of Vietnamese football, Lê Công Vinh understands the value of recognition. In a sports career, every title or award holds special meaning, as it reflects not just temporary form but also acknowledges the entire process of persistent effort.

An athlete might train for thousands of hours just waiting for one major match. An artist might spend a whole year perfecting an album or artistic program. But these efforts are not always fully seen. Therefore, a prestigious award that can honor such contributions becomes a tremendous source of motivation.

What makes the Cống Hiến Awards special is precisely their endurance. In the context of rapidly changing entertainment and media landscapes, maintaining an award for two decades is no simple feat. Lê Công Vinh also emphasized this factor, stating: "To be maintained for 20 years, the efforts of the newspaper and the partnering units working together to sustain this award, all are recognized."

In reality, the long-term existence of an award depends not only on the initial idea but also on the collaboration of many organizations, units, and individuals. It is this collective effort that has helped the Cống Hiến Awards maintain their prestige and position in Vietnam's cultural life.

An interesting point in Lê Công Vinh's sharing is the perspective on the intersection between sports and arts. For a long time, these two fields have often been viewed as different worlds: sports associated with discipline, strength, and competition, while arts are linked with emotion and inspiration.

However, according to Công Vinh, when these two elements combine, they create great spiritual value: "People often say sports are dry while artists are more inspired, but for me, when sports and culture blend together, the soul becomes healthier, the spirit more uplifted for a person."

That is a thought-provoking observation. Sports help people cultivate willpower, discipline, and perseverance. Arts nurture emotion, imagination, and creativity. When these two elements go hand in hand, they form a comprehensive spiritual foundation for individuals.

Perhaps that is why the Cống Hiến Awards do not stop at merely honoring music or arts alone. Their expansion into the sports field in recent years shows a new approach: viewing sports as part of cultural life.

After 20 years, the greatest value of the Cống Hiến Awards likely lies not in the trophy or title, but in the message it conveys. It is an affirmation that all genuine effort deserves recognition.

And when such recognition is sustained over time, it becomes a source of inspiration for athletes, artists, and the younger generation to continue pursuing paths of creation and contribution to society.