The third edition of the Thanh Khe District Open Basketball Tournament in 2024 is taking place at the Chieu Ung Tu basketball court and the district-based Culture - Sports Centre. The tournament is an attractive playground for strong basketball clubs in the city, contributing to spreading the basketball movement in the community.

A basketball match in progress. Photo: PHI NONG

Organised by the Thanh Khe District Culture - Sports Centre in coordination with the Da Nang Basketball Training and Development Centre, this year’s tournament sees the participation of nine strong basketball teams in the city. The teams are divided into 3 groups, competing in a round robin to select the top 3 teams in each group and the second-placed team with the best results to compete in the semi-finals and finals.

Accordingly, group A includes Da Nang Veterans, UBC and Friends; group B with Thanh Khe, NYX and Hbwbasketball; and group C with Geckodunk, Bulldog Hustle, and Hunters.

With high professional quality, the tournament is highly anticipated by many audiences each time it is held.

The basketball court of the Thanh Khe District Cultural - Sports Centre saw many spectators coming to watch and cheer on the teams competing in the opening match.

Mr. Phan Tan Thai, residing in Thanh Khe Tay Ward, Thanh Khe District, said "I am very happy that the municipal-level tournament was brought to the locality. This is a good way to help the basketball movement spread more widely in the community. I will arrange time to watch the matches of the tournament".

In the opening match, the Da Nang Veterans and Friends team provided eye-catching, amazing actions for the audience. With youthful strength, smooth coordination and accurate throws, the team defeated their opponents with a score of 60-32. This result helped Da Nang Veterans and Friends gain the upper hand before the important match with UBC.

Mr. Ha Anh Kiet, head coach of the Da Nang Veterans and Friends Club, said that the club participated in the tournament for two times and won third and second places. With the aim to become the champion for the first time, the team has practiced 3 sessions/week at the basketball court of the Da Nang University of Physical Education and Sports. The coaching staff and all club members will try their best to have the second victory over UBC to secure its top position in Group A.

The determination of the participating teams contributes to increasing the competitiveness of the tournament. Notably, the presence of foreign athletes and young talents of Da Nang basketball creates the attraction of this year's tournament. In particular, the defending champion Thanh Khe Basketball Club owns Nguyen Dinh Quang Tu and Truong Van Dai who are playing for the Da Nang youth basketball team that just won the 2024 National 5x5 U20 Basketball Championship.

Athlete Truong Van Dai said “The Thanh Khe District Open Basketball Tournament in 2024 will have the participation of excellent athletes, so I will have a chance to gain professional experience. Hopefully, my teammates and I will perform well and achieve the goal of defending the championship”.

Aside from many excellent players, the Thanh Khe Basketball Club is highly appreciated when it is led by Coach Truong Van Dai. Mr. Dai used to be a national basketball player. He is currently the coach of the Da Nang youth basketball team and has many years of experience in youth training.

According to the schedule, the Thanh Khe Basketball Club will compete in the second match at 8:00 pm on November 30 against NYX Club at the Chieu Ung Tu basketball court. Earlier, at 6:30 pm on the same day, another championship candidate, Geckodunk will meet Bulldog Hustle in Group C.

Mr. Nguyen Tuong Minh, Director of the Da Nang Basketball Training and Development Centre, said that the tournament creates a useful playground for athletes who are passionate about basketball, as well as helps find additional talents for the Da Nang basketball team.

This year, the tournament scale has been expanded, receiving the support of basketball clubs in the city and a large number of fans. The matches in the tournament lasts until December 11, promising to bring exciting and attractive matches for fans.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duy Lan, Deputy Director of the Thanh Khe District Culture and Sports Centre, with favourable facilities, the centre is assigned by the municipal Department of Culture and Sports to organise many municipal-level sports tournaments. Since early 2024, the centre has organised large-scale tournaments such as swimming, badminton, etc.

Before the Thanh Khe District Open Basketball Tournament in 2024, the centre successfully organised a municipal-level basketball tournament for the U17 age group. Hopefully, through the tournaments, it will contribute to spreading and creating momentum for the sports movement in the district in particular and the city in general to develop even stronger.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG