Competing with a squad of 44 players, Gia Lai finished the tournament with 22 gold, 26 silver and 53 bronze medals. Hosting the event enabled more local clubs and grassroots units to participate, while providing familiar conditions that helped athletes perform with confidence.
The regional championship serves as both a competitive platform for young players to gain experience and a talent assessment ahead of major national events, including the 2026 National Youth Xiangqi Championship scheduled for late August in An Giang.
According to coach Trần Quang Nhật, strong support from parents helped motivate the athletes throughout the competition, contributing to the team's performance.
“This was also an opportunity for the young players to gain experience and prepare themselves for important upcoming tournaments, most notably the 2026 National Youth Xiangqi Championship”, Nhật said.
The latest results continue a series of strong performances by Gia Lai’s youth players. Earlier in 2026, the province sent 29 competitors to the National Youth Xiangqi Championship, where they collected 73 medals, including 11 golds.
The achievements reflect a long-term development strategy that extends beyond elite competition. Alongside its representative teams, Gia Lai has expanded club activities and promoted Xiangqi in schools to identify and develop promising players from an early age.
The Provincial Xiangqi Federation has also prioritised closer cooperation following the merger of Gia Lai and Binh Dinh, aiming to connect resources, increase competitive opportunities and strengthen the province’s reserve of young talent.
That approach has already produced a new generation of players. Trần Thị Bích Hằng, Vương Tiểu Nhi, Trương Ái Tuyết Nhi and Nguyễn Phương Nghi have gradually established themselves, easing the reliance on team leader Hồ Thị Thanh Hồng and supporting a smoother generational transition.
Despite the progress, Gia Lai continues to face strong competition from established Xiangqi centres such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Bac Ninh, where extensive club networks, year-round tournaments and larger athlete pools provide significant advantages.
Coach Trần Quang Nhật said Gia Lai’s youth programme has consistently delivered positive results at regional and national championships in recent years, highlighting Nguyễn Lê An Khương, Huỳnh Châu Bảo Lâm, Trần Nhật Minh, Trương Gia Hân and Trần Tuệ Mẫn as promising talents expected to build on the achievements of previous generations.
He added that the coaching staff will continue reviewing and developing young players while creating more opportunities for regular competition to improve their skills and strengthen the province’s long-term talent pipeline.
