The handover ceremony was held on the afternoon of September 21 at the Provincial Convention Center in Quy Nhon Ward, Gia Lai Province.
The event also featured the presentation of Certificates of Merit from the Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee to the team and outstanding players.
The transfer follows Đak Đoa’s run to the final of the 1st Vietnam Ethnic Minority Women’s Football Championship - VTV5 Cup 2026, where the team finished as runners-up.
Nguyễn Xuân Thắng, General Director of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group, said the group had been impressed by the players’ passion, unity and discipline during the tournament.
He said Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group would gradually move the team from its grassroots foundation to a more organized and professionally oriented training and competition system.
In the initial phase, the group will seek to help players stabilize their lives, continue their studies and remain close to their families, while providing more opportunities to play friendly matches and compete in suitable tournaments.
The immediate target is to build a squad capable of competing in the 2027 National Women’s Football Championship.
In the longer term, the group aims to identify and train more talented female players, contributing to the women’s football talent pool in Gia Lai and the Central Highlands.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee Phạm Anh Tuấn praised the efforts of the players, coaching staff and local authorities in building the team.
He said Đak Đoa’s performance at the VTV5 Cup 2026, marked by passionate play, fair play and determination, had brought pride to the locality while helping promote the image and identity of Gia Lai.
Mr. Phạm Anh Tuấn said the transfer to Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group represented a new stage in the team’s development, with the goal of gradually transitioning from grassroots football to a professional model.
He asked the club to establish a systematic training program suited to the players, combining their academic studies with improvements in technical, tactical and physical skills.
The players will also face a significant adjustment as they move from seven-a-side football to the 11-a-side format, which involves larger pitches and longer matches.
The province expects the new training environment and increased competition opportunities to help them gradually develop their professional abilities.
The provincial government also asked the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to work with Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group on appropriate support mechanisms, enabling the athletes to focus on training and competition while preparing for their long-term development after their playing careers.
Gia Lai plans to expand women’s football at the commune level, particularly in mountainous and ethnic minority areas. Through grassroots sports programs, the province aims to identify and develop promising players and build a sustainable talent pool for women’s football.
Mr. Phạm Anh Tuấn encouraged the Đak Đoa players to view the transfer as an opportunity to pursue their passion in a more professional environment while continuing their education and strengthening their discipline and professionalism.
The team is expected to begin participating gradually in official competitions organized by the Vietnam Football Federation from 2026 to 2027, laying the groundwork for progression to higher-level tournaments.
“Always remember you are from Gia Lai; when you play, you must uphold the province’s colors and brand, and help spread the Gia Lai name,” Phạm Anh Tuấn told the players.
He said each match would provide not only an opportunity for the athletes to demonstrate their talent and sportsmanship, but also a platform to promote Gia Lai’s people, culture and land to audiences at home and abroad.
He also called on the Provincial Football Federation to strengthen coordination with local authorities in developing grassroots football, particularly in mountainous and ethnic minority areas.
The province aims to build a system for identifying, training and developing young players to secure a long-term talent pool for both men’s and women’s football.
At the ceremony, Phạm Anh Tuấn presented a Certificate of Merit to the Đak Đoa women’s football team for finishing second at the 1st Vietnam Ethnic Minority Women’s Football Championship – VTV5 Cup 2026.
Ten coaches and players from the team also received Certificates of Merit for their achievements at the tournament.
Two Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC players, goalkeeper Trần Trung Kiên and center-back Đinh Quang Kiệt, were also honored for their performances with the Vietnamese national team at the Hyundai ASEAN Cup 2026.