The opening ceremony welcomed leaders from major media, organizers, sponsors, and more than 250 athletes, including reporters, editors, and executives from notable outlets such as Communist Review, Nhan Dan Newspaper, Vietnam Television (VTV), Vietnam News Agency, the Military Broadcasting Center, ANTV, and VnExpress, among others.
Speaking at the ceremony, the organizing committee emphasized: “The VTV Pickleball Open 2025 is not merely a sports competition; it is a meaningful occasion for members of the press to connect, engage in physical activity, and foster solidarity, especially as we celebrate the historic milestone of 100 years of Vietnamese revolutionary journalism”.
Mr. Le Quyen, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Television (VTV), delivers the opening remarks at the tournament.
Mr. Le Quyen, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Television (VTV), presents commemorative flags to the participating units.
Mr. Hoang Trung Dung – Member of the Central Party Committee and Editor-in-Chief of Communist Review, also awards flags to teams.
Following the speeches, a representative of the referee board and the athletes took the oath, pledging fair play and unity: “We, the athletes of the VTV Pickleball Open 2025, pledge to compete with integrity, solidarity, and respect for our opponents. We will fully adhere to the rules set by the Organizing Committee and embody the true spirit of sportsmanship. We are committed to contributing to a successful, safe, and meaningful tournament”.
Immediately after the ceremony, the matches in both the Leadership and Journalist categories officially began, featuring vibrant and exciting competition. The events included men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, featuring many outstanding amateur players currently working in the media.
The tournament takes place over two days, June 14–15.
Several highlight matches were livestreamed on VTV’s official fan page and partner platforms, attracting significant attention from sports enthusiasts and the media. The tournament continues on June 15 with the semifinals and finals, concluding with the closing and award ceremony at 11:30 AM.
More than just a sporting event, the VTV Pickleball Open 2025 marks a significant milestone in the growth of pickleball in Vietnam. It also celebrates the spirit of unity, health, and resilience of modern-era journalists.
This year’s tournament receives enthusiastic support from a range of sponsors and partners, including Pili Fashion, Kien Nam Land, Proton, and PickleballPlus.vn, Socarisweat, Wika, and ValueMind. Their contributions not only ensured professional organization but also helped elevate the image of pickleball, a relatively new but promising sport in Vietnam.
