Organized by the Gia Lai Provincial Youth Activity Center, the tournament features 11 teams in the 5x5 primary-school category and 13 teams in the 3x3 categories for older students. Officials say the event aims to strengthen the province’s school-level basketball ecosystem and support early talent identification.
The championship builds on growing youth participation. In October 2025, Le Hong Phong Secondary School hosted an internal tournament for 6th and 7th graders, drawing 32 teams and helping the school scout players for this year’s provincial competition.
The school later formed its basketball club, which has trained two boys’ teams for the 3x3 lower-secondary bracket. Due to academic schedules, students practice on weekend afternoons to refine skills and improve fitness.
The club’s head Bui Van Tuan said the 3x3 category is highly competitive this year. He noted that the squad is focused on disciplined training, aiming to progress beyond the group stage while building teamwork and confidence that will support students’ long-term development.
The LTK club, comprising mainly students from Ly Thuong Kiet Primary School, will compete in both the boys’ 3x3 and 5x5 events. Players are divided into small training groups to focus on tactics and cohesion. They have also engaged in friendly scrimmages with clubs across the province, including NDC, Nguyen Van Cu Primary School and YBC, to sharpen match readiness.
Fifth-grader Nguyen Tan Khoa from Ly Thuong Kiet Primary School said practicing with older teammates has boosted his confidence. He expressed determination to continue improving ahead of the tournament.
Provincial school basketball has expanded rapidly in recent years, with rising participation and stronger coaching structures. Many institutions now invest in regular matches, skills development, and holiday-season tournaments designed to become annual and increasingly professionalized events.
According to Luu Minh Hieu, Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee, this year marks the first appearance of Nguyen Khuyen Primary School, reflecting the sport’s widening reach across educational institutions. He said the growing investment by schools is raising expectations for a more competitive and higher-quality championship.
