More than 300 young athletes took part in the inaugural Gia Lai Provincial Children's Football and Swimming Championships 2026 from July 17 to 19, showcasing determination, teamwork and sporting spirit in competitions designed to encourage physical activity and healthy development among children.
The three-day football tournament attracted 22 teams and 220 players, who competed in seven groups at the Provincial Youth Activity Center in Quy Nhon Nam Ward. Teams advanced from a round-robin group stage to knockout quarterfinals, semifinals and the final.
The U11 MM Quy Nhon 1 team celebrates after being crowned champions of the inaugural Gia Lai Provincial Children's Football Tournament 2026. Photo: D.L
More than 30 matches were played from morning until evening, with enthusiastic support from teammates, parents and spectators. Despite the intense July heat, the young players maintained a high level of commitment throughout the tournament.
The championship concluded on July 19 with U11 MM Quy Nhon 1 defeating U11 East Hoai Nhon Ward 8-0 in the final to claim the title. U11 Hoai Nhon Dong finished as runners-up, while U11 Hoai Nhon Ward and Binh Dinh Ward Football Club shared third place.
Organizers presented special awards to three young players: Best Player (Luu Ho Quy – U11 MM Quy Nhon), Top Scorer (Dang Le Nguyen An – U11 MM Quy Nhon), and Best Goalkeeper (Le Chau Vu – U11 Hoai Nhon Dong Ward). Photo: D.L
Coach Le Minh Minh credited his team's long-standing unity and years of training together as the foundation of their successful campaign. He said the tournament also served as valuable preparation for the upcoming Gia Lai Provincial Youth and Children's Football Tournament and the Vietnam U9, U11 and U13 Festival 2026.
Dang Le Nguyen An, born in 2015, finished as the tournament's top scorer with 15 goals. He said the achievement was especially meaningful because every opponent competed with determination and he was proud to contribute to his team's championship victory.
U11 Hoai Nhon Dong Ward finished as runners-up. Photo: D.L
Although U11 Hoai Nhon Dong fell short in the final, Ha Thi Ngoc Bich, Secretary of the East Hoai Nhon Ward Youth Union, praised the players for their perseverance and teamwork.
She said the tournament provided children with valuable opportunities to develop discipline, confidence and cooperation while enjoying meaningful competition.
Binh Dinh Ward Football Club (white jerseys) and U11 Hoai Nhon Ward (blue jerseys) shared third place. Photo: D.L
The swimming championship, held on July 17 and 18 at the same venue, brought together 91 athletes aged between 12 and 15. Competitors contested eight freestyle and breaststroke events for boys and girls in the 12-13 and 14-15 age categories.
At the end of the competition, organizers awarded 24 medals, including eight gold, eight silver and eight bronze medals, along with 40 encouragement prizes.
Beyond the competition itself, the event highlighted the importance of swimming as a life skill that can help prevent drowning while encouraging children to develop confidence in the water.
Thanh Tung Swimming Club from Hoai Nhon Ward delivered one of the strongest performances, with its five swimmers winning one gold, one silver, one bronze and six encouragement prizes.
The inaugural Gia Lai Provincial Children's Swimming Tournament 2026 concluded successfully. Photo: D.L
Among the standout performers was Huynh Dong Khanh Ngan, born in 2012, who won gold in the girls' 50-metre freestyle and bronze in the girls' 50-metre breaststroke for the 14-15 age group.
Khanh Ngan (third from right) captured two medals at the same tournament. Photo: D.L
Khanh Ngan said consistent training under her coach's guidance, combined with a disciplined nutrition plan, helped prepare her for the competition.
Although she had practiced breaststroke for less than a month, she was pleased to win two medals and said she would continue working to achieve even better results in future tournaments.
Parents also played an active role in creating the vibrant atmosphere, cheering enthusiastically throughout the races.
Ms. Le (far left) was always by her son’s side throughout the tournament. Photo: D.L
Vo Thi My Le, whose son represented the Swimming Club of Nhon An Secondary School in East An Nhon Ward, praised the organization of the tournament.
She said the well-managed event and impartial officiating allowed young athletes to focus on competing while giving parents confidence in the fairness of the competition.
She added that the championships provided children with a valuable opportunity to build friendships, develop their abilities and foster a lasting passion for swimming.
Tran Ngoc Quynh. Photo: D.L
“These tournaments are not only opportunities for children to interact, learn, and showcase their talents and passion for sports during the summer, but also a chance to discover and nurture promising talents for the province’s sports movement in the future.”
TRAN NGOC QUYNH - Standing Deputy Director of the Provincial Youth Activity Center, Head of the Organizing Committee for the inaugural Gia Lai Provincial Children's Football and Swimming Tournaments 2026.
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