Over 200 athletes compete at 2026 National Youth Sepak Takraw Championship

On the morning of July 16, at the Dong Nai City Sports Training and Competition Center (Facility 2, Binh Phuoc Ward), the City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of Vietnam and the Vietnam Sepak Takraw Federation, held the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Youth Sepak Takraw Championship.

The opening ceremony was attended by Le Thanh Son, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Sepak Takraw Federation; Nguyen Khac Vinh, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Head of the Organizing Board; along with representatives of local authorities from wards and communes across Dong Nai City.

Nguyen Khac Vinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Head of the Organizing Board, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony. Photo: Quang Minh

The tournament brings together more than 200 athletes representing 12 teams from the provinces of Vinh Long, Thanh Hoa, Dong Thap, Lao Cai, Nghe An, and Bac Ninh, as well as the cities of Hanoi, Hue, Can Tho, Dong Nai, and Ho Chi Minh City, in addition to the People's Public Security team.

Referee Hoang Van Tam from the Dong Nai City Sports Training and Competition Center takes the oath on behalf of the referee panel at the opening ceremony. Photo: Quang Minh

Athletes are competing in two age divisions, Under-16 and 17-20 years old, across a wide range of events, including: men's hoop, women's hoop, mixed hoop, four-player men's and women's team events, three-player men's and women's team events, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. The championships run from July 16 to July 25, featuring 174 matches with 20 sets of medals to be awarded.

The Organizing Board awards commemorative flags to the participating delegations. Photo: Quang Minh

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyen Khac Vinh said Dong Nai was honored to host the national tournament, describing it as an important opportunity for young athletes to gain competitive experience and improve their technical skills. He added that the event also provides an opportunity for sports officials to identify and recruit promising young players for Vietnam's national team as it prepares for future regional and international competitions.

Following the opening ceremony, the Dong Nai City U16 sepak takraw team begins competing in the women's hoop event. Photo: Quang Minh

The Hanoi City U16 sepak takraw team competes in the women's hoop event. Photo: Quang Minh

Immediately following the opening ceremony, the teams entered competition with a series of highly exciting and hard-fought matches.

By Quang Minh – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho