From 17 - 26 September, Da Nang's U20 men’s and women’s basketball teams are competing in the 2024 5x5 U20 National Basketball Championship at the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Sports Centre. With thorough preparation and determination, both teams aim to contend for the championship title.

The core players of the Da Nang U20 men's basketball team (in purple jerseys) participating in the tournament are outstanding young athletes trained at the city's Sports Training Centre. Photo: P.N.

The 5x5 U20 National Basketball Championship is organised annually by the Viet Nam Basketball Federation in collaboration with localities. It provides a valuable platform for young basketball talents across the country to exchange, compete, and develop their skills.

The tournament also serves as a way for organisers to evaluate the training and development of athletes at various units and localities. Outstanding players will be selected for the national youth team to participate in international competitions.

This year’s championship features both men’s and women’s categories. In the women’s event, four participating teams are Da Nang, Ha Noi, Yen Bai, and the People's Public Security. They play in a round-robin format to determine rankings.

For the men's category, nine teams are competing: Ba Ria - Vung Tau 1, Ba Ria - Vung Tau 2, Dien Bien Warriors, Hanoi, Thua Thien Hue, PEAK, Quang Ngai PB, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. The teams are divided into two groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals and finals. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and joint third places.

The Da Nang U20 women’s team comprises 12 athletes selected from local basketball clubs, and the team is led by coaches Pham Duc Dat and Pham Anh Tien. Meanwhile, the Da Nang U20 men’s team has registered 12 players trained at the Da Nang Centre for Athlete Training and Development. The experienced coaching staff includes Le Ngoc Tai, Dam Huy Dai, Truong Nguyen, Quang Ha, and Pham Ngoc Minh.

This tournament promises to be a fierce and exciting competition, as the teams come from localities with a strong basketball tradition and past successes in national championships. In the women’s event, Ha Noi and the Public Security team are considered favourites, likely presenting challenges for Da Nang and Yen Bai. For the men’s event, the teams are expected to be of equal calibre, making the competition even more thrilling.

According to Nguyen Anh Kiet, a member of the Da Nang U20 men’s team, this is the team’s main tournament of the year, and he and his teammates have undergone rigorous training. In addition to twice-daily training sessions at the Da Nang Basketball Training and Development Centre, the team has also intensified their practice matches to sharpen their skills. Before the competition, the team had a training camp in Thua Thien Hue Province to acclimatise to the weather and the playing conditions.

This year, the Da Nang U20 men’s team carries high expectations, as it includes a highly regarded group of players. In 2023, the Da Nang U18 men’s team secured third place in the National 5x5 U18 Basketball Championship in Thua Thien Hue Province.

Prior to that, in 2022, they clinched the championship title at a tournament hosted on their home ground. Moreover, in preparation for this year’s event, many U20 players were allowed to compete in the U23 5x5 National Championship, where they also finished third.

Coach Le Ngoc Tai of the Da Nang U20 men’s team stated that the team’s recent successes in national championships have boosted their confidence in aiming for the top spot. The team is focused on winning each match, starting with advancing from the group stage. Through this tournament, the coaching staff will assess the players’ abilities, with a long-term goal of developing a strong roster for Da Nang’s future basketball success.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by TRUC VY