Table tennis

 

HÀ NỘI — The 44th National Table Tennis Championship by Nhân Dân (People) Newspaper will be one of events of the National Sports Games 2026 which will be a strong motivation for athletes this August in Hải Phòng.

According to the organising board at a press conference on July 31, nearly 140 players will vie for titles in seven categories of men's and women's singles, doubles, teams and mixed doubles from August 8-16 at the Hải Dương Gymnasium.

Speaking at the conference, Director of the Sports Authority of Việt Nam (SAV) Nguyễn Danh Hoàng Việt said this was a long-tradition tournament which was one of the most prestigious events in the national competition system.

The championship also featured the strongest athletes of the country while many young rivals strongly grew up from this foundation and became key members of the national teams.

The tournament is being held one year after the nationwide administrative merger, resulting in fewer participating delegations and athletes. However, the consolidation has also strengthened the teams, as each now brings together top players from the former provinces and cities under a single banner, said Việt. 

Counted as a tournament of the National Sports Games, which is a quadrennial event, athletes' achievements would be much more prestigious than ever, he added.

According to Phan Anh Tuấn, SAV's Table Tennis Department representative, almost strongest players have registered to serve at the event. Among them are SEA Games champions Nguyễn Anh Tú, Đinh Anh Hoàng and Đoàn Bá Tuấn Anh in the men's side; and Nguyễn Khoa Diệu Khánh, Bùi Ngọc Lan and Mai Hoàng Mỹ Trang in the women's.

Only one regrettable absence is Nguyễn Đức Tuân of the hosts as he suffers an injury.

A total of VNĐ500 million will be given to high-ranking players along with awards for young potential players and locality with strongest table tennis development.

Prior to the main tournament, an open event for mixed teams will be organised from August 3-5. Meanwhile the organisers also plan to hold a playing ground for players, amateur and supporters to exchange their technique during the nine-day competition.

Quế Đình Nguyên, deputy editor-in-chief of Nhân Dân Newspaper, said: "The tournament is not merely a national sporting event but also a political mission that we are honoured to undertake. It contributes to the development of Việt Nam's high-performance sports, particularly table tennis, while promoting grassroots participation, improving public health, and upholding President Hồ Chí Minh's belief that a strong and healthy people form the foundation of a prosperous nation.

The tournament will be live broadcast on VTV8 channel and some other localities' TVs. — VNS