A large-scale, engaging playground.

The 2024 Senior and Veteran Volleyball Tournament has concluded, but the memories of a beneficial, engaging, and large-scale competition—the largest ever—still linger for athletes and fans alike.

In mid-May, the Provincial Multi-Purpose Gymnasium became more bustling and vibrant as the 2024 Senior and Middle-Aged Volleyball Tournament took place. Many fans were surprised to see that a grassroots sporting event like the 2024 Senior and Middle-Aged Volleyball Tournament could attract nearly 650 athletes, 70 clubs from 40 delegations representing agencies, units, and localities in the province.

Mr. To Tuan Dat, Deputy Director of the Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center - a member of the Organizing Committee - said: "About a month before the tournament, we sent invitations and tournament regulations to agencies, units, localities, and volleyball clubs in the province. Surprisingly, the number of athletes and clubs registering to participate this year is almost double that of the 2023 tournament. The increased number of participating clubs means an increased number of matches, making the organization more challenging, but the unit has strived to do well in all aspects and departments to ensure the tournament's success."

Not only has the tournament expanded in scale, but the professional quality of the matches has also improved. Sitting in the stands watching the men's final in the 46-55 age group between Ton That Thuyet Club and Bac Lenh Club, Mr. Luong Van Phuong from Binh Minh ward ( Lao Cai city) repeatedly stood up to cheer. Mr. Phuong said: "I love recreational volleyball, but my experience and technique are limited, so I wasn't part of the team participating in this tournament. However, I always follow and support the teams, especially from the semi-finals to the final, I didn't miss a single match. Although it's an amateur tournament, the athletes all played their hearts out on the court, giving fans many beautiful scoring plays."

According to reporters' observations, in recent years, the movement for physical training and sports in general, and soft volleyball in particular, has developed strongly in the province. Almost all villages, hamlets, residential areas, and neighborhoods in the province have sports activities, including soft volleyball.

Mr. Do Khac Trung, a member of the Ton That Thuyet Club (winner of the first prize in the men's 46-55 age group), shared: "Previously, I played leather volleyball, but recently switched to soft volleyball. Soft volleyball is easy to play, cost-effective, and especially suitable for all ages, so the number of participants is very large. Our club alone has 40 members, both male and female, who regularly practice and participate in soft volleyball tournaments organized in the province. Therefore, when participating in the tournament, we played very smoothly, in sync, and harmoniously, defeating our opponents one after another to become champions."

Watching the women's 40-45 age group final between the Vietnam Apatite Company Limited team and the Huong Duong Club, one could see the extremely professional spirit and attitude of the athletes. With a well-balanced team and superior strength, the female athletes from Vietnam Apatite Company Limited defeated their opponent with a score of 2-0, convincingly winning first place.

Athlete Ha Thi Kieu Ngoc said: "This is the third consecutive year we've won first place in the women's 40-45 age group at the Provincial Senior Volleyball Tournament. To achieve this result, we spend 1-2 hours practicing every day, which has created synergy and cohesion in our playing style, and has improved our physical fitness, technique, and tactics."

BCH (12).JPG — Awards were presented to the outstanding teams in the women's category for ages 40-45 at the Provincial Senior and Middle-Aged Volleyball Tournament.

After 115 exciting, captivating, and dramatic matches, the 2024 Senior and Middle-Aged Volleyball Tournament concluded successfully, with the Organizing Committee awarding prizes to the most deserving teams. However, it can be affirmed that all athletes participating in the tournament are winners because they were able to indulge in their passion, improve their health, socialize, share experiences, and learn from each other in various fields, making their lives more beautiful and meaningful.

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