The medal presentation ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on the morning of 24/12.

At the start of the program, the organizers reiterated the SEA Games 33 regulations, where the host nation only awards 23 gold medals to the champion team, distributed among 23 players. The head coach and coaching staff members do not receive medals as in other tournaments.

To honor coach Kim Sang Sik's contributions, Tuoi Tre newspaper, PNJ, and the ARTA by PNJ brand collaborated to conceptualize and craft a special gift. The limited-edition medal was made entirely from 24K gold, weighing 33 chi. The number 33 marks the 33rd SEA Games, where coach Kim Sang Sik left his tactical mark, leading the "golden star warriors" (Vietnamese national football team) to the highest position.

Representatives from PNJ and Tuoi Tre newspaper present the 33 chi 24K gold medal to coach Kim Sang Sik. Photo: Nam Tran

Representatives from PNJ and Tuoi Tre newspaper present the 33 chi 24K gold medal to coach Kim Sang Sik. Photo: Nam Tran

At the event, Nguyen Khoa Hong Thanh, PNJ's senior marketing director and director of communications and external relations, stated that PNJ and the ARTA by PNJ brand hoped the gift would serve as a great encouragement, marking a new era of success for Vietnamese football and honoring coach Kim Sang Sik's dedication.

"This artwork is a culmination of gratitude and national pride. Our artisans poured their hearts into creating this profound token of appreciation," Mr. Hong Thanh added.

Holding the special medal, Mr. Kim emphasized: "The support and encouragement from all of you and the fans have helped Vietnamese football and me achieve today's success. I am grateful and deeply moved."

As head coach, Mr. Kim Sang Sik led the Vietnam U22 team to a gold medal at SEA Games 33. This year, he and his players also won the U23 Southeast Asia Championship and the ASEAN Cup.

Following this, VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan also thanked Tuoi Tre newspaper and PNJ for their continuous companionship and support for national football. According to him, the gift for coach Kim holds not only material value but also significant other meanings. Mr. Tuan expressed hope that in future SEA Games, the Korean-born coach would have the opportunity to receive even "heavier" gold medals.

VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan (right) and VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu (left) present signed jerseys from Vietnamese national team players to representatives from PNJ and Tuoi Tre newspaper. Photo: Nam Tran

VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan (right) and VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu (left) present signed jerseys from Vietnamese national team players to representatives from PNJ and Tuoi Tre newspaper. Photo: Nam Tran

Regarding the medal made from 33 chi of 24K gold, an ARTA by PNJ brand representative emphasized that it is an artwork rich in messages. The medal's surface features the national flags of Vietnam and South Korea, honoring the friendly relationship between the two nations and the bond between the Korean coach and Vietnamese players.

Additionally, artisans added an interesting touch with symbols of a football and the traditional conical hat (non la), representing a passionate love for football while retaining strong national identity.

To convey the "indomitable Vietnamese spirit", artisans also incorporated bamboo – a symbol of Vietnamese character and resilience – into the gift, recalling the team's spectacular comebacks and strong rise in all circumstances under Mr. Kim's leadership.

Images of the Korean royal palace and the national flower (mugunghwa) were engraved and integrated into the medal. According to the brand representative, this detail aims to honor coach Kim Sang Sik's homeland and the South Korean football foundation that has accompanied and supported Vietnamese national teams in achieving many memorable victories.

Representatives from PNJ, the ARTA by PNJ brand, and coach Kim Sang Sik take a commemorative photo with the medal. Photo: Nam Tran

Representatives from PNJ, the ARTA by PNJ brand, and coach Kim Sang Sik take a commemorative photo with the medal. Photo: Nam Tran

ARTA by PNJ, a subsidiary of jewelry and lifestyle retailer PNJ, upholds the vision of being an "artistic brand elevating social relations" – where each creation is not just a gift, but also a symbol connecting and honoring important relationships.

The medal presentation event was attended by many notable figures, including: Hoang Nguyen, deputy editor-in-chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper; VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan; VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu; Nguyen Chi Kien, PNJ's senior human resources director; Pham Thuy Dung, director of PNJ's northern branch.

Hieu Chau