Basketball

Representatives of the organising committee and sponsors at the launch of the Youth Basketball League 2024, a tournament for high-school students starting later this month in Hà Nội. Photo courtesy of organisers

HÀ NỘI — The first Youth Basketball League 2024 - Ziaja Cup for high-school students has been launched in Hà Nội, as a way of developing the sport in the community and improving health and lifestyle among the young.

The tournament, announced on September 12, will be jointly organised by online newspaper VnExpress and FPT Online with the support of the Hà Nội Basketball Federation and the pharmaceutical and cosmetic brand -- Ziaja.

In the first season, the tournament is open for schools in Hà Nội. Until September 20 each school can register one male and one female squad until September 20.

Matches will be held from September 29 to November 24. All games will be shown live on the tournament's fanpage.

The champions will walk away with VNĐ15 million meanwhile two runners-up will take VNĐ10 million and VNĐ7 million, respectively. The MVP will bag VNĐ5 million. 

According to organisers, the tournament is one of many activities to create a healthy sports playground, improve physical and mental health and comprehensive development for high school students. 

The tournament is in response to a project entitled 'Developing school basketball until 2030' jointly implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports Authority of Việt Nam.

The tournament will be spread to other cities and provinces in the next season and become a nationwide event soon. The organising committee also dreams of  holding events for students of primary and secondary schools, as a feeder of talent for the high school players and competitions for college and university athletes.

"Basketball and school basketball in particular have received strong attention from the community with tournaments held for students of different age groups," said Đinh Quang Ngọc, an official of the Hà Nội Basketball Federation.

"The sport helps students improve comprehensively, mentality and physique. As a unit which manages local sports we appreciate the effort of the organisers and sponsors for bringing this event to the city. The federation will arrange quality referees and assistants to officiate the matches, ensuring fairness and professionalism. We also hope to discover talented players of the national teams in the future," he said.

Speaking at the event, Nguyễn Quang Bang, director of the Bắc Ninh Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, which is exclusive distributor of Ziaja brands in Việt Nam, said: "Our sponsoring activity is an attempt of the company to show our social responsibility. Joining in sponsoring sports and this event, we hope to spread the basketball movement rapidly among the community. Practising basketball will help students improve their health, team spirit and many other benefits."

Alongside with the competitive matches, there are many other activities lined up including a School Tour's Dare to Shine and a Cheerleading Dance Contest.

Additionally as part of a one-month School Tour, there will be space to experience diverse sports and entertainment activities and a series of school health care workshops with the participation of experts answering the concerns and worries of high school students during puberty.

- VNS