The 2024 National Handball Championship, co- organised by the Viet Nam Handball Federation in coordination with the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports, is taking place at the city’s Tien Son Sports Arena.

An action shot from the handball match. Photo: P.N

With the participation of teams from localities with strong handball development nationwide, the tournament promises to bring exciting and dramatic competitions. The sports event lasts until September 16.

This year’s tournament has nearly 130 athletes from 6 provinces and cities nationwide participating, including 4 men's teams and 4 women's teams who compete for 2 sets of medals in total.

In particular, the men's event sees the participation of Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Yen Bai and Da Nang teams, whilst the women's event is with the teams of Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Binh Dinh and Ha Giang. In each event, the teams compete in a round robin format. Then, the first-place team will face the fourth-place team, and the second-place team will meet the third-place team in the semi-finals and finals.

Following the success of previous tournaments, this year’s participating teams are well-prepared and are determined for the highest result.

In the women's event, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the championship candidates. According to athlete Nguyen Thi Nhung from Ho Chi Minh City women's handball team, 10 days before the tournament started, the team came to Da Nang to get acquainted with the weather conditions and the competition field. The facilities at the Tien Son Sports Arena are good, and the organising board is enthusiastic in supporting. Last year, the team qualified for the finals but could not win. This year, the team will try their best to earn the gold medal.

The Da Nang men's handball team has 12 athletes participating under the guidance of coaches Ngo Ngoc Viet and Tran Chau Tuan. The team members have been trained for many years at the Da Nang Sports and Gymnastics Training Center.

The Da Nang handball team showed determination and aimed to win tickets to the finals. In recent years, the local handball team has achieved success in national championships. Specifically, the team won the National U18 Handball Championship in 2019 and has continuously been named in the top 3 at the national championships since 2018.

In addition to this annual tournament, local athletes are given the opportunity to participate in tournaments under the competition system of the Viet Nam Handball Federation, including the national youth championship, the national club championship and the national beach championship. In addition, the team selects young talents every year to build a quality next generation for Da Nang handball.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hung Quan, Vice President of the Viet Nam Handball Federation, in recent years, the national handball team has made great strides after winning the championship at SEA Games 31.

Notably, the Vietnamese women's handball team won the championship at the 2023 Asian Beach Handball Championship, thereby earning a slot at the 2024 World Handball Championship in the U.S.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Trong Thao said that the city's infrastructure conditions ensured the success of the tournament. Hosting national championships is part of the city's plan to link sports development with tourism activities. Athletes will have the opportunity to experience tourism activities, contributing to promoting the city's tourism image.

In the near future, the city will continue to host large-scale sports tournaments, attracting a large number of athletes to participate and experience tourism.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG