Authorities say that with more targeted and systematic investment, the province is well positioned to deliver further breakthroughs in the coming years.
In 2025, participation in regular physical exercise reached an estimated 37% of the population, while 26% of households were classified as “sporting families,” according to Nguyen Quang Trung, head of the Sports Management Division under the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The expansion of community-level sports activities has been marked by diverse formats and increasing public engagement.
The province organised 31 mass sports tournaments during the year, focusing on traditional and locally popular disciplines such as football, volleyball, badminton and cross-country running. Additional programmes for civil servants, workers and armed forces personnel have contributed to improving physical wellbeing and fostering community cohesion.
Infrastructure upgrades have also supported the sector’s growth. Facilities including Quy Nhon Stadium, Pleiku Stadium, provincial sports arenas and swimming complexes have been gradually modernised to enhance athlete training, host competitions and accommodate national and international events.
Looking ahead to 2026, Gia Lai plans to host between three and five international tournaments, 10 to 15 national competitions and up to 20 provincial events. Regular international youth football exchanges and a traditional martial arts festival held every three years are among the key initiatives.
Provincial leaders have prioritised partnerships to expand hosting capabilities. “With prior experience in organising national and international competitions, Gia Lai is ready to ensure smooth operations and provide optimal conditions for athletes”, said Bui Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Public support has remained strong, with recent events drawing large crowds and helping promote the province’s image and culture.
At the elite level, Gia Lai has continued to build on its talent pipeline. The province currently has 58 coaches and 492 athletes across 15 teams, training at three main centres. In 2025, four coaches and 34 athletes were selected for national teams, including 19 youth-level competitors.
By December 1, 2025, provincial teams had competed in 121 tournaments across regional, national and international levels, securing a total of 882 medals. Several athletes have gained national recognition, contributing to Vietnam’s sporting achievements.
Notably, at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, four athletes from Gia Lai represented Vietnam and delivered strong results, including gold medals in women’s indoor handball and men’s football, alongside silver and bronze finishes in taekwondo.
The province is now targeting 45 to 50 medals and a ranking of 18th out of 36 delegations at the 2026 National Sports Games. Training centres are intensifying preparations, with a focus on key disciplines such as kickboxing, taekwondo, karate, muay and athletics.
“We aim to secure four gold medals at the national games while continuing to expose young athletes to international competition to enhance their performance,” said Tran Bao Son, Director of the Pleiku Sports Training and Competition Centre.
