National basketball league VBA postponed by Covid-19

By Hoang Nguyen May 26, 2021 | 11:40 pm PT

Spectators at VBA 2020. Photo courtesy of Vietnam Basketball Association.

The Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA) championship will not commence on June 4 as intended with the Covid-19 situation remaining volatile across the country.

After cancelling the pre-season tournament Tip-off Cup, VBA organizers announced the delay of the 2021 season.

"With this unpredictable pandemic, HCMC People's Committee will tighten prevention measures from May 21 by suspending a number of services and activities. Since we hold pandemic prevention as a first priority, the VBA decided to postpone all related activities. A new schedule for the 2021 season will be drawn up depending on pandemic developments," VBA stated.

The tentative opening date for VBA 2021 is expected to be pushed back two weeks compared to the original schedule. Organizers will decide whether to play the games with or without spectators.

Covid-19 has made it additionally difficult for VBA to bring experts, coaches, players, referees and supervisors to Vietnam.

Eight teams will participate in VBA 2021 - defending champions Saigon Heat, Thang Long Warriors, Cantho Catfish, Danang Dragons, Nha Trang Dolphins, Hanoi Buffaloes, Ho Chi Minh City Wings and the Vietnam national basketball team. Games will be played at centralized venues in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Hanoi has seen complicated developments of Covid-19 since early this month while several clusters have emerged in HCMC in the past 10 days with unknown sources of transmission.