SYSU Kicks Off Inaugural Campus Football Super League

Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) officially kicked off its first-ever Campus Football Super League on May 10 at its Guangzhou South Campus. The event marks a significant milestone in the university's mission to integrate sports with education.

The grand opening ceremony, held at the South Square of the Gymnasium, drew hundreds of students, faculty members, and sports industry professionals.

The ceremony opened with high-energy performances, including student-led cheerleading and traditional lion dances—a nod to the courage and perseverance of the SYSU spirit.

A highlight of the event was the unveiling of the league's official emblem: a football framed by the "SYSU" acronym in the shape of a victor's laurel, symbolizing the unity of the university's three campuses through sport.

The league's theme song, Green Battlefield, made its debut with a performance by Olympic champions and student representatives.

The ceremony also featured a video message from SYSU alumnus Su Yongshun, the former head coach of the Chinese national football team and recipient of the "Lifetime Achievement Award for 70 Years of Guangdong Football."

SYSU alumnus Su Yongshun, the former head coach of the Chinese national football team, sends a video message of congratulations to the inaugural SYSU Campus Football Super League during the opening ceremony.

Professor Shi Xie, SYSU Vice President, addressed the crowd, celebrating the university's recent provincial and national athletic achievements.

Professor Shi Xie, Vice President of Sun Yat-sen University, delivers a speech.

Immediately following the ceremony, the 3v3 qualifying matches commenced, featuring 380 participants across 71 teams. In a move to promote interdisciplinary exchange, teams were formed freely across different departments and colleges.

The competition is structured to bridge SYSU's expansive geographical footprint, with qualifiers held across the Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Shenzhen campuses. The top teams will convene on June 7-8 for the grand finals to compete for the championship.

The Football Super League is the centerpiece of a year-long celebration of sports at SYSU. To maintain the momentum, the university announced the upcoming "Yixian Cup" and "Alumni Cup" for the second half of the year. Beyond the scores on the pitch, the league serves as a platform for cross-campus exchange and youth's character building.

The league builds upon SYSU's century-long football heritage, which is rooted in the sports education philosophy of the university's founder, Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Guided by this vision, the university was among the first in China to introduce football into its curriculum.

By inheriting its time-honored sports traditions, SYSU continues to emphasize the "health first" concept, fostering well-rounded talents through the spirit of perseverance, teamwork, and athletic excellence.