A vibrant sports festival for students in Can Tho.

On May 18th, at Ly Tu Trong Specialized High School, the Department of Education and Training of Can Tho City inaugurated the 2026 Can Tho City High School Sports Tournament. This is a school festival with a spirit of joy and solidarity.

The athletes' delegations filled the grounds of Ly Tu Trong Specialized High School during the opening ceremony.

Following the opening ceremony were exciting football competitions on the artificial turf pitches of Viva and Phi Long (on Cach Mang Thang 8 Street), and the Can Tho Sports Training and Competition Center. There were also thrilling sprints, powerful jumps, and determined throws from the athletics athletes at Can Tho Stadium; and captivating badminton matches at Quang Sport (on Cach Mang Thang 8 Street).

For football alone, the organizing committee arranged three separate venues due to the large number of teams competing in various events for elementary, middle, and high school levels (boys and girls). For example, the elementary school football competition had 48 participating teams. In athletics, the 100m race alone had over a hundred athletes competing.

According to the organizers, this year's competition attracted approximately 5,832 participants, including 1,359 youth union officials, coaches, and medical staff; 2,224 track and field athletes; 1,205 football players; and 1,054 badminton players. These figures demonstrate the growth of the school sports movement in the city.

Ms. Pham Kieu Nhi, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Vinh Chau Ward, said that the unit has 48 athletes competing in athletics and badminton. Being far from the city center, transportation and training are difficult, but the Vinh Chau team athletes are all very enthusiastic. Ms. Kieu Nhi shared: “With the support of the local authorities, schools, and coaches, the athletes are all training very actively, enthusiastically, and determined to achieve the best results in the competition.”

On the athletics track, Au Van Khang, a student from Vinh Hai High School, eagerly prepared to compete in the shot put event: "I'll try my best, but the most important thing is to have fun. I'm very excited to participate in such a big competition."

On the 100m track, Cao Van Loi, a student from Nguyen Viet Xuan Secondary School (Hoa Luu commune), continuously received encouragement from his teammates. Having previously won a gold medal at a student competition in the former Hau Giang province, Loi said: “I am very happy to be competing in such a lively and crowded arena. I will try my best to achieve a high result.”

A joyful atmosphere also permeated the athletes' delegation from Hoa Luu commune. Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Ngan, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of the commune, said that the locality had selected the team since after the Lunar New Year, with 39 athletes participating in all three events. “The students have just finished their second semester exams, so they are in a very relaxed mood. Coming to the sports festival, the whole delegation is determined to exchange ideas, learn, and gain experience, preparing for the Phu Dong Sports Festival next year,” Ms. Phuong Ngan shared.

In football, the competition was particularly fierce. Mr. Le Nguyen Hai Dang, in charge of the Binh Thuy ward's team of 79 athletes participating in all three sports, said that elementary and middle school football is the unit's strength, but this year the level of competition is very high. The most valuable aspect of the tournament is the spirit of solidarity and confidence of the students as they immerse themselves in the city's major sporting arena.

Emphasizing that this is not just an annual sporting event but also a major festival for young students, Mr. Nguyen Van Khoi, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City, said that this year's tournament has special significance as it is the first student sports competition organized in the context of the newly merged Can Tho City. From regions rich in academic traditions, students come together under one roof with a spirit of solidarity, love of sports, and a desire for development. Mr. Nguyen Van Khoi said: "Through this tournament, we will continue to strengthen the spirit of exchange and solidarity among students from different localities; contributing to building a dynamic, modern, and culturally rich educational environment."

Amidst the early summer sunshine, the running, laughter, and joyful physical activity of the students created a vibrant picture. The school sports festival further motivated the physical training movement in schools, contributing to building a generation of healthy, confident, and ambitious students.

Text and photos: NGUYEN MINH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/ngay-hoi-the-thao-ron-rang-cua-hoc-sinh-can-tho-a204996.html