The International Men’s Volleyball Tournament 2011 for the Hoa Lu – Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper Cup officially opened at the Indoor Stadium in Ninh Binh Province on March 1.
Pham Duc Hien, Deputy Editor-in-Chief offers flowers to participating teams. (Photo:SGGP)
The event is being organized by SGGP Newspaper, the Ninh Binh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam Volleyball Federation.
The participating six teams are Trang An Ninh Binh, Long An, Sanest Khanh Hoa, Sacombank Bien Phong, Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and the Lao National Team.
Speaking at the ceremony, Pham Duc Hien, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of SGGP said SGGP felt honoured to organize the event which is being held nationwide on the occasion of marking the achievements of the 11th Party Congress and the Vietnamese Sports Day (March 27). He thought the tournament was an excellent opportunity for teams to interact with one another and prepare for the forthcoming National Volleyball 2011 event.
Mr. Hien also thanked the sponsors Ocean bank, Petro Vietnam Gas, Thai Son Entertainment and Media Company and the Dai Nam Joint Stock Company for their contribution and support to the event.
Following the ceremony, Trang An Ninh Binh played a match against the Lao National Team. With a home-field advantage and demonstrating top-level skills, Trang An Ninh Binh won 3-0.
The second match was between Sacombank Bien Phong and Sanest Khanh Hoa. Sanest Khanh Hoa won 3-0. Vietnam Oil and Gas Group lost to Long An with 0-3.
The tournament will continue on March 2 with matches to be played between Trang An Ninh Binh and Sanest Khanh Hoa; Lao National Team and Long An and Sacombank Bien Phong and Vietnam Oil and Gas Group.
