Kim Sang Sik guided Vietnam U22 to the gold medal at the SEA Games 33. In 2025, he also led Vietnamese football to two additional titles, winning the ASEAN U23 Championship and the ASEAN Cup.

Under SEA Games regulations, medals are awarded only to the 23 registered players of each team, while head coaches and members of the coaching staff are not included. To recognize Kim Sang Sik’s contributions to Vietnamese football, Tuoi Tre Newspaper and PNJ’s Arta gift-art brand jointly conceived and commissioned a special medal exclusively for the South Korean coach.

The limited-edition medal is made entirely of 24K gold, and is valued at more than VND 500 million. The number 33 carries symbolic meaning, marking the 33rd SEA Games, where Kim Sang Sik left a lasting mark by guiding Vietnam U22 to the top of the podium.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tuoi Tre deputy editor-in-chief Hoang Nguyen congratulated Kim Sang Sik on his achievements and praised the strong performances of Vietnamese football in recent years, noting that the medal was a gesture of appreciation for the coach’s great contributions.

On behalf of the VFF, President Tran Quoc Tuan expressed his thanks to Tuoi Tre Newspaper and PNJ for their continued support of Vietnamese football. He said the gift holds not only material value but also deep symbolic meaning, and voiced hope that Kim Sang Sik will continue to deliver success and earn even “heavier” gold medals at future SEA Games.

Vietnam U22 to face Thailand U22 in SEA Games 33 final: Can Kim Sang Sik make history?

VOV.VN - Vietnam U22 will take on Thailand U22 in the men’s football final at the 33rd SEA Games, with head coach Kim Sang Sik poised to make history.