The Vietnam Volleyball Federation has officially issued a unprecedented announcement in the history of the national competition system.

To enhance transparency and ensure fairness in competitions, the Vietnam Volleyball Federation (VFV) has just issued a special announcement.

This announcement pertains to determining the eligibility of female athletes through chromosome testing. This regulation is considered an important step towards standardizing athlete management, aligning with international volleyball standards.

According to Announcement No. 02/TB-LĐBCVN issued on March 10, 2026, VFV has established specific regulations regarding gender verification for female players participating in the national competition system.

This move not only aims to address potential doubts arising during competitions but also demonstrates VFV's determination to synchronize Vietnamese volleyball regulations with standards set by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

According to the document's content, starting from the 2026 season, the determination of female athlete eligibility may be conducted using chromosome testing methods in necessary cases.

This regulation applies to all competitions within the national competition system managed by VFV. The primary goal is to ensure all participating athletes fully meet gender standards as stipulated by international sports regulations.

VFV also emphasized that the initial responsibility for determining athlete eligibility lies with the clubs and managing units. Teams must ensure the accuracy of athlete records and information before registering for competitions. However, in cases where doubts arise or verification requests are made by relevant parties, VFV will directly intervene and conduct necessary verification steps to clarify.

To ensure the verification process is rigorous, the federation has established a specific 10-step testing procedure. The most notable point is the application of PCR testing for the SRY gene, a genetic marker commonly used in medicine to determine the presence of the Y chromosome, thereby identifying biological sex.

Testing will be conducted at qualified and designated medical facilities, while strictly ensuring principles of information confidentiality and athlete privacy.

In cases where a team requests verification for an opponent's athlete, the complaining team's head must submit a deposit of 10 million VND. This is seen as a measure to limit complaints based on emotion or lacking grounds. This deposit will only be refunded if the test results prove the complained athlete is not female from a genetic perspective.

Regarding testing costs, VFV stated it will be responsible for paying basic tests related to sex chromosomes. Meanwhile, local units hosting competitions will have the responsibility to coordinate and support the safe and convenient transportation of athletes to testing facilities.

A notable point in the new regulation is that the athlete's competition rights are still guaranteed during the waiting period for test results. Accordingly, the player requested for testing can continue to play normally for their team. This aims to avoid negative impacts on the athlete's performance and psychology before official conclusions are reached.

If test results show the athlete has the presence of the Y chromosome, a genetic factor typically associated with male sex, this result will be immediately reported to the Supervision Committee Head and VFV leadership to make the final decision on suspending that athlete's participation. Conversely, if testing confirms no Y chromosome is present, all doubts will be closed and the athlete continues to compete normally without impact.

VFV's new regulation has quickly attracted attention from experts and volleyball fans. Many opinions suggest applying modern scientific testing methods will help limit unnecessary controversies, while creating a more transparent and fair competition environment for female athletes.

In the context of Vietnamese sports increasingly integrating deeply with the international competition system, standardizing athlete management regulations according to AVC and FIVB standards is seen as a necessary step. This not only helps enhance the professionalism of domestic competitions but also contributes to protecting the rights of honest female athletes, forming a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnamese volleyball.

Currently, the aforementioned announcement has been sent by VFV to training centers, sports management units, and volleyball clubs nationwide for implementation in the near future. Teams are required to proactively update the new regulations and closely cooperate with the organizing committee when necessary to carry out verification steps according to the procedure.