During the 96 anniversary of Xiamen University, twelve alumni football teams from around the country participated in "Junhao Cup", the Second Alumni Football Tournament in Shangxian Playground organized by the General Alumni Association, Labor Union, and Physical Education Department of Xiamen University.
Pan Shimo, vice president of the General Alumni Association of Xiamen University said in the opening ceremony that this match attracted alumni football teams from different places to join in and it was a football party for the alumni. He also said that alumni football match had become a brand event during the anniversary and it helped strengthen friendships and exchanges among alumni, enrich their lives, and provided a stage for them. He hoped that alumni could come back to the alma mater frequently, continue to take part in the activities launched by the General Alumni Association, and concern about the construction and development of the alma mater.
Hong Hao, 1990 journalism student gave a speech on behalf of the players. He thanked the school for the support for this tournament and thanked the organizers for their hard work. He said that this football match provided a platform for alumni to make friends, to meet again in the alma mater, and to enjoy football. He hoped that everyone could work together to make this match bigger and better.
Twelve teams participated in this year’s alumni football tournament. They were Liaoning, Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hainan, Chongqing, Sichuan Alumni Football team and EMBA United. After two days of fierce competition, Guangzhou and Shenzhen team entered into the final. In the final, Guangzhou team fought steadily, scored a goal in each half, and achieved their 2-1win over Shenzhen team. Guangzhou team won the championship and Shenzhen team finished second. In the three or four final held in earlier, Shanghai team earned a 1-0 win over Fuzhou team and obtained the third place. Chongqing, Xiamen, Liaoning, Suzhou, Hainan, Sichuan, EMBA and Beijing finished five to twelve.
In addition to the competition part, there was an exhibition match played by alumni over 45. They were divided into two teams in accordance with their enrollment year whether it ended with odd or even number. The former made up "Jiageng Team" and the latter made up "Nanqiang Team". The exhibition match ended in a 2-2 drew and this satisfying result also embodied a deep and warm meaning.
Alumni football tournament is a routine of our school during the anniversary and it attracts more and more alumni to join in every year. With football as a link and sports as a bridge, this game provides alumni a chance to come back home and a chance to pass on their love to football and to Xiamen University.
