Vietnam female footballers get double reward despite loss

It is a double reward for the team, who was announced before the tournament that they will be given VND1.5 billion ($72,100) for a silver medal and VND2 billion ($96,200) for a gold medal.

The increase of the cash prize comes from the prize announced for the men’s team but they failed to advance to the semifinals, said acting chairman of the Vietnam Football Federation, Le Hung Dung. It is withdrawn and added to the prize fund for the women’s team.

“The women’s team made impressive performances [at the 27th SEA Games] and they are worthy or our admiration,” said Dung. “That’s why we decide to double the prize for them although they couldn’t defend their championship title.”

In addition, Tran Bac Ha – chairman of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) – announced to award the women’s team VND300 million ($14,400).

Ha also committed to sponsor the national women’s team in two years 2014-15.

“We will work with the VFF and will soon announce the sum of money for the sponsorship,” Ha said.

On Friday, the Vietnamese national women’s football team lost 1-2 to Thailand in the final match at the 27th SEA Games. The victory of Thailand writes its name as the first women’s team winning five championship titles in the history of SEA Games.