Winning the 33rd SEA Games, coach Kim Sang-sik receives a medal containing 33 taels of 24K gold

Hoang Anh Gia Lai goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien has been named among the Top Five finalists for the 2025 Vietnam Golden Ball, the award’s organizing committee announced on December 23.

Grassroots martial arts clubs across Gia Lai province are intensifying exchange activities and friendly competitions to help young fighters gain practical experience, identify emerging talent and sustain the local combat sports movement.

Former players from Gia Lai Football Club joined about 150 retired footballers nationwide at the 9th Vietnam Former Footballers Festival, held on December 20 at Binh Phuoc Stadium.

Gia Lai province on December 19 held a welcome ceremony for Nguyễn Thị Bích Thảo, celebrating her contribution to Vietnam’s gold medal victory in women’s handball at the 33rd SEA Games.

Vietnam’s women’s handball team, featuring Gia Lai native Nguyễn Thị Bích Thảo, clinched the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games on December 17 after a commanding 24–16 victory over Thailand in the final.

Vietnam’s U22 team staged a dramatic comeback to defeat hosts Thailand 3-2 after extra time, clinching the men’s football gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games in one of the tournament’s most memorable finals.

More than 300 athletes from 18 teams took part in the opening of the first Ayun Pa Ward Sports Festival 2025 on the morning of December 16 at the ward stadium in Gia Lai province, marking a major local sporting event aimed at promoting unity and grassroots sports.

U22 Vietnam struck twice in the closing minutes to defeat U22 Philippines 2-0 in the men’s football semi-final at the 33rd SEA Games, becoming the first team to secure a place in the final at Rajamangala Stadium.

Nguyễn Thị Loan, a taekwondo athlete from Vietnam’s Gia Lai province, won a silver medal in the women’s 53kg category at the 33rd SEA Games on December 12, marking a notable achievement for Vietnamese sport.

Q&A with Đỗ Bích Ngọc, Secretary General of the Vietnam Powerboat Sports Federation

Hoang Anh Gia Lai Football Club (HAGL) has announced it will host Group C of the 2025–2026 national U19 football championship qualifiers, scheduled from 14 December 2025 to 6 January 2026.

Thailand’s organizing committee for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 33) has confirmed that all preparations are complete, ensuring the event will proceed on schedule despite earlier venue adjustments caused by flooding.

Young Vietnamese chess prodigy Hoàng Tấn Vinh from Gia Lai secured four medals at the 2025 Asian Youth Chess Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, held from November 20 - 30. Competing in the U10 category, Vinh contributed significantly to Vietnam’s medal tally.

Gia Lai secured 23 medals at the 2025 National Xiangqi Elite Championship, finishing with 6 gold, 5 silver and 12 bronze. All gold medals came from female players, underscoring the province’s strong performance in youth categories.

Phạm Thị Hồng Lệ of Gia Lai province claimed her 17th championship in the VnExpress Marathon system by winning the women’s 42 km race at the VnExpress Marathon Hanoi Midnight on November 30. The event drew 10,000 participants from across Vietnam.

Gia Lai solidified its position as a regional sports powerhouse at the 14th National Sports Festival for Ethnic Minorities, Region II, held in Dong Nai Province from November 15 to 24, 2025.

Quy Nhon United has returned to training after more than three weeks off, facing damaged facilities, key injuries and a disrupted preparation period as the 2025–2026 First Division season remains on break until January 31, 2026. 

Nguyen Chi Thanh High School in Hoi Phu Ward has reaffirmed its status as a key training ground for ethnic minority sports after contributing significantly to Gia Lai’s second-place finish at the 14th National Ethnic Minority Sports Festival (Region II) held in Dong Nai from 15–24 November.

While many schools across Gia Lai province have seen a decline in sports activities since the recent administrative reorganization, student football in the former Hoai Nhon town has surged with renewed energy and community support.

Gia Lai Province launched its first Open Xiangqi (Chinese chess) Tournament for entrepreneurs on November 15 at Hai Au Hotel in Quy Nhon Nam Ward, bringing together 26 players from across the local business ecosystem.

Gia Lai athletes claimed 16 medals at the 2025 National Kickboxing Club Championship, the Pleiku Center for Sports Training and Competition announced on November 17.

Nhon Ly Hoi Club, founded just two years ago in Quy Nhon, Vietnam, has rapidly grown from a small Vovinam group into a multi-disciplinary martial arts center earning top results in provincial tournaments.

The 2025 National Pencak Silat Club Championship wrapped up on November 14 at the Pleiku Sports Arena in Gia Lai province, closing an 11-day competition marked by strong performances, professional organization, and enthusiastic support from spectators and athletes nationwide.

In the Central Highlands town of Ayun Pa, passionate educators are leading efforts to promote grassroots sports, transforming their communities through dedication, training programs, and local competitions.