Ninghe "Village Super" Kicks Off in Tandem with Short Video Competition; International Youth Experience the Vibrant "Jincai" Rural Sports Culture of Tianjin

Video Production: Qiang Yufei, Cheng Aobing

On July 18, the "Baiyun Hotel Cup" 2025 Ninghe District Fifth Community Sports Games Football "Friendship" Match ("Village Super") and the First Tianjin International Youth Sports Short Video Competition officially kicked off with enthusiasm in Ninghe District, Tianjin. International Online’s Tianjin Channel specially invited 22 international students from Tianjin University of Technology to form an international experience delegation, visiting the “Village Super” event to explore the unique charm of rural sports culture in the summer heat.

Opening Ceremony

The Guizhou Village Super Organizing Committee awarded Ninghe District, Tianjin

the title of “Tianjin Division of the National Village Super Championship”

As evening fell, the Ninghe Qilin Football Theme Sports Park was filled with festive cheer. During the opening ceremony, a symbolic link between the northern and southern Village Super leagues was established. With this designation, winning teams from Ninghe will have the opportunity to compete with champions from Rongjiang County, Guizhou Province.

Before the first match, local rural singers gave lively performances, while youth martial arts and diabolo performance teams showcased traditional kung fu and dynamic group diabolo routines. Inspired by the festive atmosphere, the international student delegation joined the performers on stage to sing the classic song "Blue Lotus", igniting excitement across the crowd. During the match, the international students cheered for the players in fluent Chinese and waved props to interact enthusiastically with the audience.

International students from Tianjin University of Technology interacted with the Chinese youth street dance team and took group photos

The international experience delegation and performance team shared the stage to perform “Blue Lotus”

Li Li, an international student from Madagascar, said: “It’s my first time in Ninghe to watch a football match. The atmosphere is amazing! The rural matches are exciting, and the youth martial arts performance was unforgettable. I truly felt the hardworking and uplifting spirit of Chinese sports, and I experienced the joy and passion of rural sports. I love China, and I love Ninghe!”

Opening Match

The event has attracted 32 teams and nearly 600 participants from towns, enterprises, district agencies, and three enclaves: Qinghe Farm (Beijing), Lutai Economic Development Zone (Tangshan), and Hangu Management District. Spanning two and a half months, the competition will feature 68 matches held every Friday and Saturday night. Players come from diverse backgrounds, including local farmers, young returnee entrepreneurs, village teachers, grassroots officials, and small business owners.

Audience cheers for the teams

In the opening matches, the Beijing Qinghe Branch Football Team defeated the Tangshan Hangu Team 2:0, while the Tianjin Ninghe Agricultural Development Group lost 0:3 to the Jingkai Industrial Football Team. Each player served as a participant, organizer, and promoter—creating a platform for friendship and exchange on the lush green field of the Qilin Football Theme Park. Their efforts reflect the energetic sportsmanship and rural vitality of Ninghe, advancing the integrated development of agriculture, culture, sports, commerce, and tourism in the region.

Leaders and guests jointly kick off the match

The International Youth Sports Short Video Competition, held concurrently, will run for one month and present the unique charm of Chinese sports culture to the world through vivid and engaging visual storytelling. Outstanding works will be selected for broadcast by CRI Online.

(Text/Images: Liu Yifei, Qiang Yufei, Cheng Aobing, Wang Zhicheng)