🏆 THE HOUR GLASS SPORT DAY 2026 PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

📜 OFFICIAL REGULATIONS

1. ℹ️ TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

• PURPOSE:
  
  To create a healthy playground for competition, interaction, learning, physical training, and connecting the shared passion for Pickleball.

• ELIGIBILITY:
  
  Open to all sports enthusiasts.

• TIME:
  
  January 31, 2026.

• VENUE:
  
  (To be updated).

2. 🎾 COMPETITION CATEGORIES & PRIZES

• CATEGORY:
  
  OPEN NEWBIE DOUBLES (MEN–WOMEN / WOMEN–WOMEN)

• (If any participant is found to exceed the allowed skill level, their eligibility will be revoked and all previously achieved results will be canceled.)

🏅 PRIZE STRUCTURE

• 🥇 CHAMPION: Cash prize + Trophy + Sponsored gifts (if any).
  
• 🥈 RUNNER-UP: Cash prize + Medal + Sponsored gifts (if any).
  
• 🥉 THIRD PLACE: Cash prize + Medal + Sponsored gifts (if any).
  
• 🏅 BEST TEAM: Cash prize + Sponsored gifts (if any).

3. 📝 REGISTRATION & SCHEDULE

• REGISTRATION METHOD:
  
  Via Zalo QR code or the tournament’s official Zalo account.

• MATCH SCHEDULE:

  • Check-in: 08:00 AM
    
  • Matches begin: 08:30 AM

• NOTE:
  
  The Organizing Committee will update the exact schedule for each category in the Competition Group based on the number of registered teams.

4. 🎮 FORMAT & RULES

🔹 TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE

• 18 doubles teams divided into 3 groups.
  
• Top 2 teams from each group + 2 best third-place teams advance.

🔹 SCORING SYSTEM

• Win: 1 point | Loss: 0 points
  
• Ranking criteria:
  Points ➔ Point differential ➔ Head-to-head result ➔ Draw

🔹 MATCH POINT FORMAT

• Group stage to Quarterfinals:
  1 game to 11 points, switch sides at 6 points.
• Semifinals & Final:
  1 game to 15 points, switch sides at 8 points.

🔹 APPLICABLE RULES

• Current USA Pickleball rules & latest guidelines from Pickleball Vietnam.
  
• Serve touching the net and landing in the correct service court: Play continues.
  
• Timeout: 1 time per game (maximum 1 minute).
  
• Medical timeout: 1 time per match (maximum 10 minutes).

🔹 WITHDRAWAL

• Teams may withdraw from a specific match but may continue playing subsequent matches.
  
• Results of completed matches will remain valid.

5. ⚠️ DISCIPLINE & OTHER REGULATIONS

⏰ LATE PENALTIES

• More than 10 minutes late after the 3rd call:
  Forfeit that match (score 0–11 or 0–15).
• More than 10 minutes late in the 1st and 2nd group-stage matches:
  Disqualification from the tournament.

👕 ATTIRE

• Proper sportswear.
  
• Colors must not match the ball.
  
• No offensive or inappropriate clothing.

🛡️ ORGANIZING COMMITTEE RIGHTS

• Sole authority to amend the tournament regulations.
  
• May add substitute players if someone withdraws
  (provided they meet the skill level and have not yet competed).
  
• No refunds after the draw is completed.
  
• Right to use players’ images for media and promotional purposes.

🎯 PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early for check-in.
  
• Be responsible for personal health conditions.
  
• Compete honestly and with fair play.
  
• If any participant is found to exceed the allowed skill level, their eligibility and all prior results will be revoked.

6. 👥 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

• Head of Technical Committee (Chief Referee):
  
  Mr. Đinh Thanh Tân

• OC RESPONSIBILITIES:
  
  Cover all expenses including venue, courts, balls, referees, prizes, light refreshments, and drinking water.