An Incense for Mr.林鴻褆
Article translated by:
Mr.
Lam Hong De Mr. An 林鴻褆was
a Chinese-born Vietnamese, his family came from Hai Nam, China. He was a
professional photographer, he owned a photo shop on Tran Quy Cap Street
opposite Quang Dong (chua ba*) Temple, next to Dinh Bridge. During the
mid-50s, Every Ninh-Hoa local people had known him as a famous player of
Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team. He was tall and well-build, who was a Forwarder,
adept at scoring goals, penetrative with quick footwork, he was very
skillful using headding
the ball into the net technique, consequently
brought many brilliant glorious to our home town Ninh-Hoa.
I remember
between 1950 to 1954, during the eventful of the Vietnamese – French
war. French expeditionary army came to Ninh-Hoa, Their headquarter
stationed at Basto cigarettes warehouse and there were so many of them.
Soccer was a very popular sport in Europe and the French loved soccer
passionately.
Despite of the warfare, when they had to leave their country
behind for war, they brought with them soccer ball and shoes for many
friendly matches with the local teams. And Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team had no
doubt facing many tough challenging matches with French players who were
all Caucasian. Unfortunately our players didn’t wear shoes, until now
that we are facing the French with shoes in matches, so we too had to
wear shoes to play against them. Ninh
Hoa Soccer Team including many outstanding players such as : Uncle Hai
Cat and Mr. Chin Cu Xom Ruou (I heard that Mr. Chin Cu is currently
residing in California); what special about these two gentlemen were
they were short but could run exceptional fast, (local Ninh-Hoa dialect:
“chạy nhanh de kêu” meant exceptional fast). Also Mr. Nam Ha
and Mr. Bay Nghi at xóm Bánh; Mr. Muoi Sang, Muoi Sáng and Mr. An at
Dinh Bridge. From Quan Tre there were Mr. Ba Thuong and Mr. Ba Quón,
Mr. Hai Mành (Dan Dan); Mr. Hoa, Mr. My and Bay tailor, Mr. Truc
shoemaker and a few more people I don’t remember their names. At that
time Ninh-Hoa soccer field was in Vinh Phu, the gate to the field was
from opposite the French-Vietnamese Elementary School to the river bank.
There were no grass, no grand stand at the soccer field. On the day of
the match, they used white powered lime to draw the triangle box and
dividing lines on the field, viewers wore cone hats and umbrellas
standing orderly outside the white lines, of course if there were
exceptional exciting situation, audients would cheer & applaud
loudly. Matches
were often on Sunday, on the day when the match was on, most of retail
stores near Dinh market were closed early and central of Ninh-Hoa became
deserted, especially when there was match between French Expeditionary
Army Team and Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team. Lots of people came; apart from
people living around town, there were also people from near by villages;
some distant villages such as Ha Lien, Ben Do, Quan Tre, Hon Khoi, Lac
An and many from all over places flocked into Vinh Phu. In those
years, Vinh Phu was the most depraved
area in Ninh Hoa. On the occasion of match day, people were indulging
themselves, there were shops & inns selling rice vermicelli,
porridge, boiled duck eggs (almost became duckling), egg noodle, rice
noodle and refreshments. If you wanted to spend money for pleasure,
stop-by Sau Hu grotto of
fairies for opium and prostitute. If you wanted to try your luck
then visiting casinos or rooster matches. Many peddlers also waited for
these occasions to carry or push their stalls of lemon iced drinks
selling on the street like festival pleasantly fun. The
first few matches between French Army Team and Ninh Hoa Soccer Teams, we
were always lost because we were not used to wear shoes to play soccer.
Later on, the more we played the better we were, people cheered on
whenever Mr An was leading with the ball in his feet; each time he shoot
the ball into the goal, people cheered deafeningly terrifying the French
players. Matches after matches, Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team had won gloriously,
sometimes we won 2 to 3 matches in a row. Since then people usually
mentioned Mr. An’s splendid victory goals.
Ninh-Hoa
Soccer Team became more and more skillful on the field, they won every
matches, until one day there was news that the Vietnamese Revolutionary
Army spreading handouts calling people to go to war against the French,
then some of Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team players was taken by the French
Intelligent Service for investigation, including Mr. Chin Cu, Mr. Hai
Cat, Mr. Nam Ha, Mr. By Nghi etc.. Some were kept for a few days, some
was tortured to bedridden and remained in prison for many years. Since
then Ninh-Hoa soccer team had lost many players and eventually
dissolved. Today
Mr. An and players of Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team’s resounding achievements
had been long lost through time. I tried to write a true story which had
happened more than 50 years ago in remembrance those once had brought
fame to the Soccer Game at Ninh-Hoa County. |