The Da Nang Basketball Championship 2024 officially kicked off on Wednesday with the participation of 8 teams from Central Viet Nam competing in the 5x5 men's event. The tournament promises to be exciting and dramatic, and to bring eye-catching matches to the audience.

The Da Nang Basketball Championship 2024 promises to be attractive

As part of the Viet Nam Basketball Championship system, the tournament is jointly organised by the New Sports JSC and the Viet Nam Cable Television (VTVcab), and licensed by the municipal Department of Culture and Sports.

The qualifying rounds are taking place from May 22 - 26 at the Da Nang Basketball Development Centre (BDC)’s basketball court, whilst the semi-finals and finals will be organised on May 27 and 28 at the Center for Culture, Information and Sports in Son Tra District.

This year's tournament has 8 teams participating, marking a step forward in the development of the basketball movement in Da Nang. The audience will witness fierce competitions between newly established clubs such as X-BDC, U18 Da Nang, and 98 Dreamers, along with traditional clubs namely Co Do, FRIENDS, Gecko Dunk, and Air Dragons.

In particular, there is also the presence of the team with the largest average age ever in the Viet Nam Basketball Championship system, called Da Nang Generals.

The participating teams are divided into two round-robin groups, and the four teams with the best records in each group will enter the semi-finals and finals.

The tournament provides an opportunity for teams and players to hone their skills and explore their own limits. It also contributes to improving the overall quality and competitiveness of the basketball community. The champion team will advance to the final round of the Viet Nam Basketball Championship 2024 slated in October.

After the success of the first season, this year’s participating teams are well prepared aiming for the best results. Among the Da Nang representatives participating in the tournament, FRIENDS Club is considered the championship candidate.

Established in 2005, FRIENDS is the oldest club in Da Nang. After nearly two decades of operation, the FRIENDS Club has had many changes in people and playing style. In addition to younger and stronger players, the team still has the tenacity of heroes who have fought for many years in large and small-scale tournaments.

At last year's tournament, FRIENDS Club won runner-up position. Its goal for this year’s tournament is to win the championship.

Together with FRIENDS Club, U18 Da Nang promises to bring exciting matches based on youth. The team with registered 12 players is led by coach Truong Nguyen Quang Ha. The tournament is a good opportunity for young Da Nang players to practice their expertise.

According to athlete Luong Minh Hoang from the U18 Da Nang team, the tournament has the participation of many strong basketball teams in Da Nang and other provinces and cities in Central Viet Nam. The team will maintain focus and make good use of opportunities to gradually reach the set goal. To prepare for the tournament, the team’s members increased professional training and prepared the best physical foundation to be ready for the expected intense matches.

Mr. Mai Viet Anh, Director of the New Sports JSC cum Head of the tournament’s organising committee, said that the Da Nang Basketball Championship not only focuses on professional factors but also carries the mission of spreading basketball passion for the audience. All matches are broadcast live on local channels.

The tournament is where amateur players can rub against professional players, thereby opening up opportunities for them to upgrade to a professional level in the future.

First held in 2023, the tournament brings interesting experiences to the competing athletes and cheering fans. Da Nang is a suitable location to organize large-scale basketball tournaments.

“In recent years, the basketball movement in Da Nang in particular and the whole country in general has undergone a strong change. To meet the needs of athletes, many basketball training centers have been established citywide.

Through this tournament, the organisers hope to diversify playing grounds for athletes, contributing to spreading the basketball movement closer to the community, Mr. Viet Anh emphasised.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG