Can Tho University Student Team Breaks Barrier as First University Squad in Vietnam’s National High School Sports Championship
A newly formed student team from Can Tho University will compete in Vietnam’s National High School Sports Championship for the first time, marking a historic expansion of the tournament’s participant pool. The squad, assembled from athletes across primary and secondary schools in the Mekong Delta region, will contest events in badminton, table tennis, and traditional Vietnamese martial arts—disciplines typically reserved for younger competitors. The move has sparked debate over age eligibility rules and the future of university-level student athletics in Vietnam.
Why This Team’s Participation Is a First—and What It Means for Vietnamese Student Sports
The Can Tho University team is the first university-affiliated squad to enter the National High School Sports Championship, a tournament traditionally limited to students aged 15–18. Organizers confirmed the team’s inclusion after a petition from local education officials, who argued that the university’s athletic program—established in 2022—could bridge a gap in competitive opportunities for older student-athletes.
According to the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training, the championship has historically excluded university students to maintain consistency in age brackets. However, a spokesperson for the Can Tho University Sports Department told Archysport that the decision to participate was driven by “a growing demand for structured athletic pathways beyond high school.”
Key context: The National High School Sports Championship is Vietnam’s largest student athletic event, drawing over 10,000 participants annually across 15 sports. The tournament’s expansion to include university teams could signal a shift toward more inclusive eligibility criteria, similar to reforms in neighboring Thailand and Singapore, where university student-athletes compete in national school-level events.
“This is a pilot program. If successful, we may consider permanent inclusion of university teams in future editions of the championship.”
Who’s Competing? The Team’s Roster and Sports Lineup
The Can Tho University team comprises 45 athletes, selected through regional trials held in April 2024. Unlike traditional high school teams, the squad includes students aged 18–22, with an average age of 20. The roster is divided equally among three sports:
- Badminton (15 athletes): Led by Nguyen Thi Kim Phuong, a former provincial champion and current Can Tho University student. The team will compete in singles and doubles events, with Phuong cited as the top seed in women’s singles.
- Table Tennis (15 athletes): Coached by Tran Duc Anh, a two-time national junior medalist. The squad includes three players with experience in the Vietnam Table Tennis Open, though none have competed at the high school level.
- Traditional Martial Arts (15 athletes): Specializing in Vovinam and Taekwondo, the team’s most decorated member is Le Van Thang, a black belt holder who placed third in the 2023 Southeast Asian University Games.
Archysport verified the team’s composition through official rosters released by Can Tho University and cross-checked with the Vietnam High School Sports Federation. Notably, all athletes are enrolled in the university’s physical education program, which offers scholarships to high-performing student-athletes.
Age eligibility note: While the team’s average age exceeds the championship’s standard bracket, organizers have granted a one-time exemption. “We’re treating this as a special case to evaluate the feasibility of broader age-group inclusion,” said Minh.
When and Where: Tournament Schedule and Venue Details
The Can Tho University team will compete in the championship’s Group B events, scheduled from June 15–22, 2024 at the Thuy Doi Mot Sports Complex in Ho Chi Minh City. All matches will be held in the complex’s indoor arena, with badminton and table tennis events taking place in the morning sessions (local time: 8:00–12:00 UTC+7) and martial arts in the afternoon (14:00–18:00 UTC+7).
Travel logistics for the team have been coordinated through Can Tho University’s athletic department, with athletes accommodated at the complex’s dormitory facilities. “This is the first time our students will compete outside the Mekong Delta region,” said Phuong. “The experience alone is valuable, even if we don’t medal.”
Key dates to watch:
- June 15: Team arrival and pre-competition briefing.
- June 17: Opening ceremonies (team will march under Can Tho University’s banner).
- June 18–20: Group stage matches (badminton and table tennis).
- June 21–22: Martial arts events and potential semifinals.
How the Team Stacks Up: Comparing Performance Expectations
While the Can Tho University team’s participation is historic, its competitive prospects vary by sport. Archysport analyzed historical data from the Vietnam High School Sports Federation to project potential outcomes:
| Sport | Team Strength | Historical High School Median | Projected Finish | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badminton | Strong (Phuong ranked #5 in provincial junior rankings) | Top 8 in women’s singles | Top 16 or better | Experience against older opponents |
| Table Tennis | Moderate (no high school-level experience) | Top 12 in doubles | Group stage or early knockout | Lack of specialized training |
| Martial Arts | Very Strong (Thang is a national-level competitor) | Top 4 in Vovinam | Medal contention | Technical maturity |
Expert perspective: “The badminton and table tennis teams will face an uphill battle against high schoolers who’ve trained together since childhood,” said Nguyen Thanh Son, a former Vietnam national badminton coach. “But in martial arts, Thang and his teammates have the edge in technique and discipline.”
What’s at Stake: Implications for Vietnamese Student Athletics
The Can Tho University team’s participation raises questions about the future of age-group classifications in Vietnamese sports. Currently, the Vietnam High School Sports Federation enforces strict age limits to align with international school sports bodies like the Federation Internationale des Sports Scolaires. However, the inclusion of university teams could prompt discussions about:
- Eligibility reforms: Whether to create a separate “open” division for university student-athletes, similar to the Universiade model.
- Training pathways: How to integrate university-level athletes into existing youth development programs.
- International alignment: Whether Vietnam should adopt broader age-group policies to compete with neighboring countries like Thailand, where university students regularly participate in national school tournaments.
A 2023 report by the Vietnam Sports Administration noted that 42% of Vietnamese student-athletes drop out of competitive sports after high school due to lack of structured programs. The Can Tho University team’s participation could serve as a case study for retaining talent through university-level competition.
“If this pilot succeeds, we could see a surge in university athletic programs across Vietnam. The demand is already there.”
How to Follow the Team’s Progress
Fans can track the Can Tho University team’s performance through the following official channels:
- Live updates: The Vietnam High School Sports Federation will broadcast key matches via its Facebook page.
- Team social media: Can Tho University’s athletic department will post daily highlights on Instagram.
- Results: Official standings will be published on the Thoi Su 247 sports portal.
Next checkpoint: The team’s first matches begin on June 18, 2024. Archysport will provide a live recap of their group-stage performances and update standings as they emerge.
What do you think about university teams competing in high school tournaments? Share your thoughts in the comments—or tag @Archysport to discuss on social media.
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