With efforts in training and competition, the Da Nang U20 men's basketball team were crown champion at the 5x5 U20 National Basketball Championship which just ended in Thua Thien Hue Province. This is the motivation for Da Nang basketball team to make further progress in the years ahead.

The Da Nang U20 men's basketball team competing successfully at the 5x5 U20 National Basketball Championship. Photo courtesy of the Viet Nam Basketball Federation.

The 5x5 U20 National Basketball Championship is the final youth-level tournament in 2024 under the competition system of the Viet Nam Basketball Federation.

This year’s tournament saw the participation of 9 U20 men's teams: Ba Ria - Vung Tau 1, Ba Ria - Vung Tau 2, Dien Bien Warriors, Ha Noi, Thua Thien Hue, PEAK Air Defence - Air Force, Quang Ngai PB, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. The teams were divided into two groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals and finals.

According to athlete Truong Van Dai from Da Nang’s U20 men team, during the competition, the team encountered many difficulties and challenges. However, with a determined spirit, the team won the championship.

The victory showed the great attention and investment in the right direction of the city's sports for this sport. In order to build a generation of players capable of competing with units and localities with strong basketball movements in national youth basketball championships, dedicated and experienced coaches are invited to be responsible for training activities for Da Nang men's basketball teams.

In particular, the championship of this year’s tournament is the second time Coach Dam Huy Dai has stepped onto the highest podium of glory with Da Nang’s youth basketball team.

Previously, under the guidance of coach Dam Huy Dai, the local U18 men's basketball team won the first prize at the 5x5 U18 National Basketball Championship in 2022.

Coach Dam Huy Dai is a familiar name to basketball fans in Da Nang. Before joining the coaching profession, he played for the Da Nang Dragons basketball team in the national championship in the 2016 and 2019 seasons.

Along with coach Dam Huy Dai, coaches Le Ngoc Tai, Truong Nguyen Quang Ha and Pham Ngoc Minh have significantly contributed to the positive changes of Da Nang youth basketball in recent years.

Currently, the city is building a promising generation of young players, including Truong Van Dai, Nguyen Tran Duy Anh, Le Trung Khoa, Nguyen Dinh Quang Tu, Vo Van Bao Phu, Nguyen Anh Kiet, Hoang Hai Dang, Chau Hoang Viet, Vo Trong Man, Le Trung Bao Khang, Le Huu Huy, Tran Huy Nam, Lam Minh Duy, and Mai Duc Loc.

Coach Le Ngoc Tai said that the strong development of basketball movement in the city in recent years is the basis for building a generation of quality players for Da Nang basketball team.

Players selected for the city's youth basketball teams maintain regular training to improve their professional skills. Aside from competing in national championships, they are given the opportunity to participate in grassroots tournaments to gain experience.

According to Tran Do Quang, Deputy Director in charge of the Da Nang Sports and Physical Training Center, the remarkable achievement of the Da Nang U20 men's basketball team contributes to the overall success of the city's sports. This is the motivation for the basketball team in particular and the high-performance sports teams at the centre in general to strive towards further goals.

The centre will continue to create the best conditions for athletes to practice and participate in training courses to maximise their abilities, helping the city's sports affirm their position in national championships, he added.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG