ASEAN Police Golf Championship strengthens regional ties, supports community initiatives

Golf brings law enforcement agencies closer together

Making its debut as an official event of Sports Festival 2026, the ASEAN Police International Team Golf Championship attracted 52 official golfers representing 14 overseas teams from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Taiwan (China), Hungary, Japan, Norway and the host nation Vietnam.

The tournament served as more than a sporting competition. It provided a platform for police and law enforcement agencies across ASEAN and partner countries to strengthen friendship, mutual trust and professional exchanges through sport.

Held from July 31 to August 2 at NovaWorld Phan Thiet Golf Club in Tien Thanh Ward, Lam Dong Province, the tournament followed a team Stableford format, with each team's three best individual scores over two competition days determining the final standings.

Malaysia's Royal Police team claimed the championship title, followed by the Royal Thai Police in second place and the Lao Police in third. Vietnam's People's Public Security team received the Fair Play Award.

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I highly appreciate the professionalism of the tournament organization, from hospitality and accommodation to transportation, security, medical services and competition management. Everything was carefully planned and efficiently delivered.

Sithik Sar, Secretary of State of Cambodia's Ministry of Interior and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Ministry's Sports Council

Delegation leaders also praised Vietnam's hospitality, the modern tournament facilities and the close cooperation among the Ministry of Public Security, the Vietnam People's Public Security Sports Association, the Vietnam Golf Association and partner organizations in staging a regional event that met international standards.

For many international participants, the tournament offered a deeper understanding of Vietnam as a peaceful, stable and welcoming country with a rich cultural identity and growing international engagement.

Several delegates said the experience exceeded expectations and further reinforced cooperation and friendship among police organizations across the region.

Expanding sports diplomacy through annual competition

Following the tournament's success, participating delegations expressed their hope that the championship would become an annual event in Vietnam and confirmed their intention to return for future editions.

Organizers expect the ASEAN Police International Team Golf Championship to develop into one of the region's leading law enforcement sporting events, contributing to sports diplomacy, international cooperation and the promotion of Vietnam as a destination for major international events.

The successful organization of the tournament also demonstrated the Vietnam People's Public Security Sports Association's growing role in promoting international sporting cooperation, while highlighting NovaWorld Phan Thiet as an emerging venue capable of hosting large-scale international sports events.

The championship also formed part of activities marking the 81st anniversary of the Vietnam People's Public Security Force, showcasing the force's professional, people-centered and internationally engaged image.

Golf tournament continues charity mission

Running alongside the international championship, the 2nd People's Public Security Open Golf Tournament, held on August 1, attracted nearly 150 golfers, including approximately 60 leaders and officers from Vietnam's public security and armed forces, together with 90 business leaders, partners and invited guests.

Beyond competition, both tournaments continued their charitable mission by supporting a housing program for disadvantaged families living in Lam Dong's border areas in partnership with the provincial Police Department.

The initiative has become one of Sports Festival 2026's signature community programs, combining sport with social responsibility while strengthening cooperation among police forces.

During the inaugural tournament in 2025, donations from sponsors and participating businesses funded the construction of 14 charity houses for disadvantaged households in border communes of Lam Dong Province.

All of the homes were completed and handed over to beneficiary families in early 2026 through the Lam Dong Provincial Police.

Each completed home not only improves living conditions for local families but also contributes to strengthening community resilience, supporting sustainable development in border areas and reinforcing cooperation between residents and police in safeguarding national sovereignty.