Opening ceremony held for 21st Children’s Football Tournament – Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television – C.P. Vietnam Cup 2026

The 21st U11 Children’s Football Tournament – Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television – C.P. Vietnam Cup 2026 officially opened on the afternoon of August 6 at the Dong Nai City Sports Training and Competition Center Gymnasium.

The tournament is jointly organized by Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television (DNNRTV), the Department of Education and Training (DoET), and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DoCST).

Overview of the opening ceremony. Photo: Huy Anh

The opening ceremony was attended by Nguyen Khac Vinh, Deputy Director of DoCST, Deputy Head of the Tournament Organizing Board; Huynh Thien Tinh, Deputy Director of the City Sports Training and Competition Center; and Pham Thai Son, Deputy Head of the General and Continuing Education Division under DoET.

Representing DNNRTV were Cao Quoc Sang, Deputy Director in charge, Head of the Tournament Organizing Board, alongside Deputy Directors Tran Nam Dong, Hoang Binh Long, and Hoang Thi Bich Phu; together with representatives of departments and agencies, sponsors, referees, and the 16 teams competing in the final round.

Delegates attend the opening ceremony for the 21st U11 Children’s Football Tournament – Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television – C.P. Vietnam Cup 2026. Photo: Huy Anh

In his opening remarks, Cao Quoc Sang, Deputy Director in charge of DNNRTV, Head of the Tournament Organizing Board, said that besides fulfilling its mission of providing news and public information, DNNRTV  has consistently organized community-oriented social and sporting activities. After 21 editions, the U11 Children’s Football Tournament – Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television – C.P. Vietnam Cup has become one of Dong Nai’s traditional youth sporting events and an indispensable source of enjoyment in the summer for local children.

Cao Quoc Sang, Deputy Director in charge of DNNRTV, Head of the Tournament Organizing Board, delivers opening remarks. Photo: Thuy Tien

A notable feature of this year’s competition is the participation of 40 teams representing wards and communes across the city in the qualifying stage. The teams were divided into eight competition clusters, with the top 16 advancing to the finals, which are being held from August 6 to 9 at the City Sports Training and Competition Center Gymnasium.

To ensure fairness, the organizers prohibit players who are under contract with professional football clubs or enrolled in specialized sports academies from participating. Transparency and fair play, Sang said, remain the tournament’s guiding principles in creating a genuine and sustainable grassroots football competition.

Deputy Director in charge of DNNRTV Cao Quoc Sang also thanked city leaders, government agencies, local authorities, the armed forces, schools and sponsors for their support, while calling on referees to officiate impartially and urging all teams to compete honestly, attractively and safely.

Veerachai Charoensilpskul, Chief Financial Officer of C.P. Vietnam Corporation, addresses the ceremony. Photo: Huy Anh

Representing the tournament’s title sponsor, Veerachai Charoensilpskul, Chief Financial Officer of C.P. Vietnam Corporation, said that during more than 30 years of operating in Dong Nai, the company has consistently supported community initiatives alongside its business activities. He noted that C.P. Vietnam Corporation is honored to continue sponsoring the U11 tournament, which promotes healthy lifestyles and contributes to the development of young people.

Veerachai Charoensilpskul added that in addition to sponsoring the competition, the company has partnered with the organizing committee this year to set up an "Energy Recharge Station" providing food and beverages for participating teams throughout the final round. It will also organize a friendly match between the Dong Nai U11 All-Star Team and a U11 team made up of children of the C.P. Vietnam employees. Veerachai wished all players confidence, unity and honesty in competition, expressing hope that teamwork, discipline and perseverance developed during the tournament would become valuable assets throughout their lives.

A player representative takes the oath during the opening ceremony. Photo: Thuy Tien

A representative of the referee panel takes the oath at the opening ceremony. Photo: Thuy Tien

The Children’s Football Tournament – Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television Cup is an annual city-level competition —serving as an official activity under the Dong Nai City Summer Steering Committee. The annual competition is co-organized by DNNRTV, DoET, and DoCST.

Cao Quoc Sang, Deputy Director in charge of DNNRTV, Head of the Tournament Organizing Board presents commemorative flags to 16 teams competing in the final round. Photo: Huy Anh

Nguyen Khac Vinh, Deputy Director of DoCST, Deputy Head of the Tournament Organizing Board presents commemorative flags to the participating teams. Photo: Thanh Nhan

Representing C.P. Vietnam Corporation, Veerachai Charoensilpskul, presents commemorative flags to the teams competing in the final round. Photo: Thuy Tien

The organizing board poses for a group photo with representatives of the 16 teams competing in the final round. Photo: Huy Anh

This year's tournament officially bears the title the Children’s Football Tournament – Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television – C.P. Vietnam Cup. With the support of title sponsor C.P. Vietnam, the tournament has been elevated in terms of quality and prize structure.

Additionally, the 21st tournament received sponsorship from Truong Tuoi Group, Dong Nai Lottery & General Services One Member LLC, VTC Digital Television Services Company, Nguyen Anh Advertising & Events Company, Vietcombank - East Dong Nai Branch, and Agribank - Dong Nai Branch.

The organizing board presents letters of appreciation and commemorative flags to co-sponsors. Photo: Huy Anh

Following the opening ceremony, the tournament officially got underway with the opening match between U11 Bien Hoa and U11 Binh Minh, marking the start of the final round of the 21st Children’s Football Tournament – Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television – C.P. Vietnam Cup 2026.

Following the opening ceremony, the opening match between U11 Bien Hoa and U11 Binh Minh (yellow jerseys) gets underway in an exciting atmosphere. Photo: Huy Anh

By Huy Anh, Thanh Nhan, Thuy Tien - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha