With the sweet fragrance of osmanthus in the air and the brisk autumn breeze blowing, the 40th Sports Meet of South-Central Minzu University (SCMU) was held as scheduled from October 30 to 31. Under the theme of "Sharing the Splendor of Sports, Composing a Magnificent Chapter of Unity," teachers and students from all colleges across the university gathered at the sports ground, dedicating their passion to their beloved sports and writing their youthful stories with perseverance. By the shores of South Lake, the starting gun fired, and athletic figures surged forward like arrows leaving the bow; roaring cheers filled the air, with spirited determination soaring to the skies.
On the morning of the 30th, the sports meet opened at the playground at the South Lake campus. All university leaders present on campus, all athletes, referees, and representatives of teachers and students from each college jointly attended the opening ceremony.
Accompanied by the stirringAthletes March, the National Flag Honor Guard escorted the national flag into the venue first. Subsequently, the representative teams from various units, holding their flags high, marched in with synchronized steps. Their orderly strides and splendid halting performances garnered warm applause from the audience.
Escorting the national flag into the venue. Photo by the Publicity Department of the Party Committee
After the flag-raising ceremony, Song Fajun, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice President, and Director of the University Sports Committee, delivered the opening speech. He extended greetings to all athletes and the dedicated teachers and students who had worked hard in the preparations. He hoped that the university's teachers and students would uphold the spirit of sportsmanship during the sports meet, competing with style and demonstrating high levels of skill. He also expressed his hope that sports would serve to promote physical and mental health, allowing athletics to better integrate into daily life.
Fu Taowei, a student from the Physical Education College, and Gui Yulong, a teacher, took oaths on behalf of all athletes and referees, respectively.
Xu Yeqin, Secretary of the Party Committee of the university, declared the opening of the 40th SCMU Sports Meet.
The members of the Dragon and Lion Dance Team interpreted tradition with strength, kicking off the cultural and artistic performances. Dancing to the resounding beats of the drums, every rhythmic movement showcased their seamless teamwork, while each acrobatic leap burst forth with vibrant energy. Students from the Physical Education College presented a calisthenics performance titledThe Anonymous Monument, with synchronized movements that exuded both power and grace. As the ropes spun up and down, the members of the Rope Skipping Team followed the dynamic rhythm of the music, creating a lively and captivating scene. The performances culminated in a medley of ethnic-style dances presented by the School of Music and Dance.
Cultural and artistic performances. Photo by the Publicity Department of the Party Committee
The university sports meet was a vibrant spectacle, with the brilliance of both teachers and students shining throughout. This event not only witnessed heart-stirring scenes of students exuding passion on the field but also highlighted the sportsmanship of unity, collaboration, and unwavering perseverance. On the track and field, athletes sprinted forward like arrows leaving the bow, striving for victory; on the ball courts, teamwork showcased the power of collaboration; in the field events area, each soaring leap continuously set new records. Meanwhile, characteristic events such as the harmonious blend of strength and flexibility in martial arts, the dynamic rhythm of calisthenics, the agile skills of shuttlecock kicking, and the calm strategy of chess collectively painted a rich and diverse tapestry of competitions, allowing every participant to deeply feel the unique charm of sports. Beyond the competition arenas, over 200 volunteers diligently served in roles such as guiding, marshaling, security, and logistics, safeguarding the event with their professional and meticulous services. The referees upheld the principles of fairness and impartiality, judging with rigor and precision. Cheerleading squads from various colleges enthusiastically cheered on the participants, igniting the venue with their passion. All teachers and students rallied together, embodying the university motto of "Dedicated Learning and Natural Harmony" through their practical actions.
Racing. Photo by the Publicity Department of the Party Committee
Jumping. Photo by the Publicity Department of the Party Committee
Challenging. Photo by the Publicity Department of the Party Committee
On the afternoon of the 31st, the school sports meet concluded. Li Hongyan, a member of the Standing Committee of the University Party Committee and Vice President, delivered the closing speech, and heads of relevant university departments announced the list of award winners. Liu Yi, Deputy Secretary of the University Party Committee and President, along with Li Hongyan and Song Fajun, presented awards to the winning units and individuals. Liu Yi declared the sports meet officially closed.
After two days of intense competition, the School of Computer Science, College of Electronics and Information Engineering, School of Economics, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, School of Management, College of Resources and Environment, College of Biomedical Engineering, and College of Life Sciences secured the top eight positions in the overall student men's and women's team scores. Meanwhile, the School of Music and Dance, College of Electronics and Information Engineering, School of Literature, Journalism & Communication, School of Computer Science, School of Education, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, School of Marxism, and College of Life Sciences were recognized with the Best Organization Award. In the staff sports events, the Administrative Union took first prize, the Physical Education College and the School of Foreign Languages received second prizes, and the School of Computer Science, College of Resources and Environment, and College of Life Sciences were awarded third prizes.
The competitive level of this year's sports meet reached a new high, with a total of 26 athletes breaking 11 school records, showcasing the sportsmanship of "higher, faster, stronger" with their outstanding performances. Additionally, during the awards ceremony, the winners of the university's first "Health Cup" Student Physical Fitness Test Challenge were announced. The School of Computer Science, School of Mathematics and Statistics, School of Public Management, College of Biomedical Engineering, College of Electronics and Information Engineering, School of Economics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and School of Music and Dance ranked among the top eight in the overall team standings.
