More than 1,700 athletes from 20 military establishments have converged for the opening of the 2026 Sports Festival for Military Academies, Officer Schools, and Universities, which commenced on the morning of October 19, featuring early group-stage matches in badminton and football, vietnam.vn reported.
Badminton Openers and Group Standings
Competition opened across multiple venues, highlighted by early men’s and women’s singles badminton fixtures. In Group C of the men’s singles tournament at the Political Officer Training School court, Nguyen Duc Thai Anh of the Air Defense – Air Force Academy secured a 2-0 victory against Ngo Dinh Thanh of the Border Guard Academy. In the same group, Lo Thanh Gia Phat of the Army Officer Training School 1 fell 1-2 to Truong Quoc Viet of the Political Academy.
Action in Group A saw Nong Hong Phi of the Chemical Defense Officer Training School defeat Nguyen Thuc Bao Minh of the Military University of Culture and Arts 2-0. Meanwhile, the women’s singles bracket featured Tran Thi Lua of the Special Forces Officer School defeating Nguyen Ly Hang of the Military Academy 2-0 in Group A. Bui Van Quynh Anh of the Logistics Academy topped Nguyen Thu Hang of the Military University of Culture and Arts 2-0 in Group B. In Group C, Tran Thi Thanh Huyen of the Naval Academy dropped a 1-2 decision to Nguyen Hien Nuong of the Political Officer Training School despite holding an early lead.
Football Stalemates Across Group Play
Football tournament fixtures opened with tightly contested draws. The Air Defense – Air Force Academy squad played to a 0-0 stalemate against the Military Technical Academy in Bloc 2, Group A, at the Political Officer Training School stadium. A identical 0-0 scoreline marked the match between the Armored Officer School and the Artillery Officer School in Bloc 3, Group C, hosted at National Military Training Center No. 4.
Ahead of these opening matches, teams such as the Air Defense – Air Force Academy football squad engaged in training regimens to prepare for the competition.
Tournament Scope and Athletic Disciplines
The 2026 sports festival brings together more than 1,700 competitors representing 20 distinct military institutions. Participants are slated to compete across Olympic and military disciplines.
