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.
Gia Lai dominated both forms and sparring at the 2026 National Traditional Martial Arts Clubs Championship, exceeding key performance targets and strengthening its prospects ahead of the National Sports Festival in November.
Authorities in Hội Phú Ward, Gia Lai Province, are coordinating with runner Nguyễn Văn Long to organize a 102-day endurance challenge in which he aims to set a Guinness World Record by running 100 kilometers a day.
Gia Lai’s youth Xiangqi programme continues to show encouraging progress after the province’s young players claimed 101 medals at the 2026 Central and Central Highlands Age Group Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Open Championship, reinforcing efforts to build a sustainable pipeline of future talent.
The 9th International Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts Festival - Gia Lai 2026 officially opened on Sunday evening at Nguyễn Tất Thành Square in Quy Nhon Ward, featuring a large-scale artistic program celebrating the cultural legacy and enduring spirit of Vietnamese traditional martial arts.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) striker Nguyễn Minh Tâm has been called up to Vietnam's U23 national team for a training camp ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, the club announced on July 24.
The Gia Lai Provincial Youth Union is recruiting 80 volunteers to support the 9th International Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts Festival - Gia Lai 2026, which will take place from Aug. 2 to Aug. 5 in Quy Nhon Ward and several other communes and wards across the province.
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.
Spain claimed the 2026 FIFA World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina, as Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal to end the defending champions' reign in a tightly contested final.
Students studying both within and outside Gia Lai returned home during their summer break to represent their local communities at the 1st Gia Lai Sports Festival 2026, delivering standout performances in the Taekwondo competition while inspiring a new generation of martial arts practitioners.
Gia Lai's women's beach handball team began its campaign at the 2026 National Youth Beach Handball Championship with a 2-0 victory over Ho Chi Minh City on the tournament's opening day on July 3.
Fierce contests, technically accomplished performances and participation from some of most established martial arts schools made the boxing competitions at the Gia Lai Sports Festival and Gia Lai Youth Boxing Championship for clubs and dojos among the standout events of sporting calendar.
More than 580 athletes from across Gia Lai Province and beyond gathered on June 28 for the opening of the 2026 Gia Lai Provincial Badminton and Table Tennis Sports Festival and the 2026 Gia Lai Provincial Open Badminton Club Championship at the Gia Lai Provincial Sports Arena in Quy Nhon Ward.
Gia Lai province will host the inaugural “Conquering Pờ Yầu Peak” cross-country race on Sept. 27, 2026, as part of efforts to promote local tourism and establish a signature annual sporting event.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history after netting twice in a 2-0 victory over Austria, helping his side secure early qualification for the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup.
A karate competition featuring 200 athletes from 20 communes and wards across Gia Lai Province officially opened on June 23 at the Pleiku Sports Arena as part of the first Gia Lai Provincial Sports Festival 2026.
The 2nd Gia Lai Provincial Youth Kickboxing Championship 2026 concluded with encouraging signs for the development of young athletes, as competitors displayed improved technical standards, tactical awareness and increasing parity across clubs and localities.
More than 200 women from 16 dance and folk dance clubs took part in a folk dance exchange night held at Dai Doan Ket Square in Pleiku Ward, Gia Lai Province, on June 20, highlighting community engagement, physical fitness and cultural exchange.
Gia Lai’s karate team is stepping up preparations for the 10th National Sports Games in 2026, aiming to build on a series of strong performances that have re-established the province as one of Vietnam’s leading karate centers.
More than 600 golfers from across Vietnam are taking part in the FLC Pleiku Golf Tournament 2026 – Gathering of the Great Highlands, which opened on June 13 at FLC Golf Links Quy Nhon in Quy Nhon Dong Ward.
Gia Lai-born commentator Tô Nhật Minh will make his debut at the 2026 World Cup as part of Vietnam Television’s first-ever Southern-accented commentary team, marking a significant shift in the broadcaster’s approach to covering football’s biggest tournament.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group (HAGL) has committed to a three-year sponsorship agreement for Champasak HAGL Avenir FC, strengthening its presence in Laos through investments in football development and agriculture.
The Vietnam Taekwondo Federation will provide technological support and national-level referees for the taekwondo competition at the 1st Gia Lai Provincial Sports Festival in 2026, the federation announced on June 9.
The second Gia Lai Provincial Youth Kickboxing Championship is set to attract a strong field of competitors, with more than 20 clubs and martial arts schools from across the province registering for the 2026 event as preparations enter their final stages.
