The atmosphere surrounding the U14 Gia Lai International Football Festival 2026 is heating up as international teams arrive one after another in Pleiku.
Mr. Nguyễn Tấn Anh – CEO of LPBank Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Sports Joint Stock Company, Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee for the U14 Gia Lai International Football Festival 2026. Photo: Thanh Sáng
On this occasion, Mr. Nguyễn Tấn Anh – CEO of LPBank Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Sports JSC and Deputy Head of the Festival’s Organizing Committee – spoke with Gia Lai Newspaper and Radio & Television about the preparation journey for the Festival, his hopes for youth football, and the desire to promote Gia Lai’s image during the National Tourism Year – Gia Lai 2026.
Why did the Organizing Committee choose the “football festival” model instead of a traditional tournament, sir?
At this age, the players are just beginning their journey into professional football. Beyond the technical aspects, we want to give them opportunities for cultural exchange, to connect with international friends, and to discover Gia Lai.
Therefore, the Festival is not just about football matches, but also a journey of experiences for these young players.
In your opinion, what sets the U14 Gia Lai International Football Festival 2026 apart from other youth tournaments?
This year’s Festival is quite large in scale, featuring 12 teams, including 7 international squads from Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Malaysia, and Laos.
A key highlight is that all teams will play multiple matches. Teams advancing past the group stage will compete for medals and prizes totaling up to 41,000 USD (over 1 billion VND). Even teams that do not reach the quarterfinals will continue to play for rankings from 5th to 12th place. As a result, each team will play at least 5 matches, with the most active teams playing up to 7 games. This format increases opportunities for competition and learning.
Additionally, the Organizing Committee has prepared various cultural exchange activities and a gala dinner to ensure memorable experiences for the young players.
For Vietnamese U14 players, what is the value of competing against international teams from developed football nations?
Early international exposure is extremely important for young players. The first generation of HAGL Academy players, such as Công Phượng, Xuân Trường, and Tuấn Anh, were also given opportunities to participate in many international tournaments, which helped them mature and become much more confident.
We hope this Festival will continue to help young players further develop their skills and expertise.
The U14 LPBank Hoàng Anh Gia Lai team participating in the U14 Gia Lai International Football Festival 2026. Photo: ĐVCC
What do you hope Vietnamese youth players will learn from this international playground?
We hope the young players will compete with confidence, dedication, and learn a great deal from the international teams. Most importantly, we want to see their fighting spirit, maturity, and resilience after this tournament.
What is the significance of the U14 Gia Lai International Football Festival 2026 for Gia Lai during the National Tourism Year, sir?
Mascots Voi Anh Chiêng, Bé Sóng, and Hổ Bi-Rai promoting the U14 Gia Lai International Football Festival 2026 and the province’s tourism. Photo: ĐVCC
This is a highly meaningful event as Gia Lai hosts the National Tourism Year 2026. Through the U14 International Football Festival, we hope to introduce Gia Lai as a friendly, hospitable, and culturally rich destination to both domestic and international friends.
It’s not just about football; this is also an opportunity to promote tourism, the people, and the unique beauty of a new Gia Lai.
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