Exciting Provincial Sports Festival

According to the Department of Culture and Sports , the first Provincial Sports Festival in 2026 will attract approximately 4,000 athletes from more than 30 sports delegations, competing in 21 sports with 371 sets of medals, including: cross-country running, Chinese chess, chess, Pencak Silat, boxing, Karate, badminton, traditional martial arts, women's volleyball, bodybuilding, tennis, Vovinam, cycling, Taekwondo, swimming, men's volleyball, 7-a-side football, tug-of-war, stick pushing, athletics, and pickleball. The festival is a major sporting event for the province, creating a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere to celebrate important national holidays. It also promotes the "National Movement for Physical Training Following the Example of the Great President Ho Chi Minh" in conjunction with the "National Movement for Unity in Building a Culturally Rich Life".

Athletes compete in the cross-country race at the 1st An Giang Provincial Sports Festival in 2026. Photo: LE TRUNG HIEU

The Games were divided into two phases, coinciding with celebrations of major holidays. Phase I took place from March 2nd to May 19th, with the participation of over 1,000 athletes competing in 11 sports: Chinese chess, chess, Pencak Silat, boxing, Karate, cross-country running, badminton, traditional martial arts, women's volleyball, bodybuilding, and tennis. Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports, Tran Nguyen Ba, stated: “The schedule for the sports competitions in Phase I was appropriately allocated, coinciding with major holidays. The competitions were held in localities with good facilities, ensuring professional standards and providing convenient conditions for the public to enjoy high-level sporting events.”

At the end of Phase I, Cluster II (Long Xuyen, Binh Duc, My Thoi, My Hoa Hung) temporarily ranked first overall, with 38 gold medals, 26 silver medals, and 33 bronze medals; Cluster I (Rach Gia, Vinh Thong) ranked second, with 17 gold medals, 11 silver medals, and 13 bronze medals; Cluster VIII (Cho Moi, Nhon My, Long Dien, Cu Lao Gieng, Hoi An, Long Kien) ranked third overall, with 16 gold medals, 15 silver medals, and 22 bronze medals. Nguyen Thanh Quang, Vice Chairman of the Long Xuyen Ward People's Committee, said: “Building on the results achieved in Phase I, the local sports teams are actively training and coordinating well with other units in the cluster, striving and determined to perform well in Phase II, aiming to maintain their first place overall position.”

According to the Department of Culture and Sports, Phase II will take place from July 1st to before August 31st, featuring 10 sports: cycling, Taekwondo, swimming, men's volleyball, 7-a-side football, tug-of-war, stick pushing, athletics, Vovinam, and pickleball. The Department is actively coordinating with other departments and agencies to meticulously prepare for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 6:30 PM on August 15th, with over 5,000 participants, at the An Giang Provincial Stadium in Rach Gia Ward. The closing ceremony is expected to take place on August 22nd at the An Giang Provincial Multi-Purpose Gymnasium in Rach Gia Ward.

The first Provincial Sports Festival in 2026 aims to assess the development of sports in the province, contributing to gathering all participants and encouraging them to choose their favorite sports for training. Simultaneously, it aims to strengthen propaganda and education, creating a profound shift in the awareness of all levels, sectors, and society as a whole regarding the role and importance of sports in improving the health, physical fitness, and stature of the people. Through the festival, the provincial sports sector will select athletes for the provincial training system and supplement sports teams to prepare for participation in national and international competitions in the future.

LE TRUNG HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/soi-dong-dai-hoi-the-duc-the-thao-tinh-a487653.html