The 20th Hanoi Primary School Basketball Tournament, featuring the Nestlé MILO Cup 2026, officially launched its milestone season on Sept. 30. Organized by the Youth Pioneer and Children’s Newspaper alongside the Hanoi Basketball Federation and local partners, the annual competition brings together elementary school boys and girls across the capital city to promote youth sports, physical fitness, teamwork, and discipline.
Tournament Growth and Organizing Objectives
During the launch ceremony, Tran Thi Lan Phuong, deputy editor-in-chief of the Youth Pioneer and Children’s Newspaper and representative of the organizing committee, highlighted the expanding reach of the competition. According to Phuong, the tournament has secured growing participation from primary schools throughout the region, with team counts rising annually alongside a steady increase in competitive play.
Organizers emphasize that youth support remains a core mission for the publication. Beyond literacy, education, and school guidance programs, the newspaper organizes regular athletic, cultural, and recreational activities designed to help children develop fully. “The Hanoi Primary School Basketball Tournament – Nestlé MILO Cup – has become a beneficial and healthy sports playground for primary school students,” Phuong said during the opening remarks, noting that the event allows children to showcase their passion for basketball while building health, discipline, self-confidence, and resilience.
Representing the Hanoi Basketball Federation, Dinh Quang Ngoc pointed to the tangible developmental impact the tournament has achieved over its two-decade history. Ngoc noted that several athletes who began their competitive journeys in this primary-level competition have advanced to higher tiers of the sport, including spots in the professional Vietnam Basketball League (VBA).
Ngoc also distributed the official tournament regulations to participating teams, observing that the professional standard of the games continues to climb. Coaches now utilize more diverse training methods and support materials, students demonstrate a stronger grasp of game rules, and parental involvement and backing for school squads have grown noticeably.
Schedule and Match Venues
The competition timeline outlines critical deadlines and game days for participating schools across Hanoi:
- Registration Deadline: Oct. 15
- Press Conference and Schedule Draw: Oct. 21 (expected)
- Qualifying Rounds: Oct. 31, Nov. 1, Nov. 7, and Nov. 8
- Finals, Closing Ceremony, and Awards: Nov. 21 and 22
The qualifying matches will take place across four designated school venues in Hanoi: Archimedes Academy, Bach Mai, Dinh Cong, and Newton Goldmark. The tournament finals, closing ceremony, and award presentations are scheduled to be hosted at Isaac Newton Primary School.
Ahead of the opening matches on Oct. 31, tournament organizers have urged all competing teams to strictly follow competition rules, prioritize player safety, and maintain a high standard of fair play throughout the 20th anniversary season.
