The opening ceremony of the 1st Hoa Lac Commune Sports Festival

Party Secretary of Hoa Lac commune, Dong Phuoc An, receives the flame from the athlete. Photo: Vu Van.

Amidst the vibrant music and colorful flags, the parade showcasing the strength of the participating groups opened the Congress, creating an atmosphere of excitement, solemnity, and pride. The parade included armed forces, veterans, youth union members, women, farmers, students, referees, athletes, representatives from various villages, along with a group performance by Thach Hoa Primary School and the Hoa Lac Commune Karate Club. The Aerobic and Karate performances, involving over 80 students, presented energetic and flexible rhythms, demonstrating the dynamism, dedication to training, and aspirations of the young generation of Hoa Lac.

Next came the traditional torch-lighting ceremony – a sacred symbol of noble sportsmanship . The torch was lit at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial House in Can Kiem commune (where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1955-1956), and was proudly carried to the ceremonial platform by athlete Can Van Thang – national champion in Jujitsu, an outstanding son of sports from Hoa Lac.

The Congress flame was lit by the Secretary of the Party Committee of Dong Phuoc An commune, symbolizing the faith, will, and aspiration for contribution of the Party Committee, government, and people of Hoa Lac.

Chairman of Hoa Lac Commune People's Committee, Dao Xuan Ban, opens the Congress. Photo: Vu Van

In his opening remarks at the Congress, Chairman of the Hoa Lac Commune People's Committee, Dao Xuan Ban, emphasized that the first Hoa Lac Commune Sports Congress is a grand event for the entire community, an opportunity to showcase the strength, sporting spirit, and unity of the people. The Congress aims not only to develop the physical training movement but also to contribute to the successful implementation of political , economic, and social tasks in the locality.

In just three months since its establishment, the commune has organized four commune-level sports competitions, attracting hundreds of athletes participating in various sports such as volleyball, table tennis, badminton, tug-of-war, chess, and Chinese chess, creating a vibrant atmosphere, fostering community cohesion, contributing to building a healthy cultural life, and maintaining local security and order.

The first Hoa Lac Commune Sports Festival included competitions in chess, Chinese chess, badminton, volleyball, table tennis, athletics, and sepak takraw. This was an opportunity to discover and select outstanding athletes to participate in the 11th Hanoi City Sports Festival.

Scenes from the opening ceremony of the Congress. Photo: Vu Van

With enthusiastic spirit and widespread sportsmanship, the first Hoa Lac Commune Sports Festival was a great success, contributing to the increasingly strong and stable development of the commune's sports movement, and contributing to the building of a civilized, modern, and happy Hanoi.

Here are some pictures: