Sports events and cultural tourism activities play a key role in nurturing mutual understanding among ethnic groups in China, according to Zhu Zhenghui, secretary of the Party Committee of Xinjiang Sports Vocational Education and Technical College, who led 24 young female soccer players on a visit to Hainan province recently.

The delegation participated in the "Mountain and Sea Encounter "exchange activity, part of the 12th National Traditional Sports Games of Ethnic Minorities, which fostered stronger bonds between ethnic groups in Hainan and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

In a match in Qiongzhong Li and Miao autonomous county last week, the Hainan Qiongzhong Women's Football Team emerged victorious.

Chen Qiaoqi, a member of the winning team, expressed her elation at the competitive yet friendly encounter with the Xinjiang team.

"I am thrilled to befriend the Xinjiang girls," she said. "I have already recommended Hainan's unique cuisine and beautiful scenery to them. I look forward to one day visiting Xinjiang to experience the beauty of the high mountain grasslands."

Nijina Abdouwaili, a player from the college in Xinjiang, said: "I have long heard about the Qiongzhong Women's Football Team, who have triumphed at the World Youth Cup Championship. I truly cherish this opportunity to learn from them."

Ayixiya Abudumijiti, another player from Xinjiang, expressed her dedication to honing her soccer skills for the competition. She said her team presented handmade copper plates to their counterparts.

Highlighting the multicultural composition of the competing teams, Zhu noted the diverse ethnic makeup of both the Xinjiang and Qiongzhong teams, encompassing players of Uygur, Kazakh, Hui, Han, Li and Miao descent. Through the match, teenagers from Xinjiang gained firsthand exposure to the Li and Miao ethnic cultures, deepening their appreciation for national unity and cohesion.

He expressed optimism that the event would shine a spotlight on women's soccer in Xinjiang, calling for increased attention and support to bolster the sport's growth in the region.

Wang Yan'e, coach of the Qiongzhong Women's Football Team, noted the exceptional individual skills and cohesive teamwork displayed by the players from Xinjiang. She highlighted the balanced strength and strategic alignment between the two teams, emphasizing their closely matched abilities and tactical approaches.

Wang also emphasized the significance of the friendly match as a means for both teams to build connections and foster camaraderie through the universal language of soccer. She described the game as a platform for facilitating deeper understanding and friendship between the two regions.

Apart from the match, the Xinjiang players also visited cultural and tourist destinations in Hainan. While playing in the water with members of the Li and Miao ethnic groups at the Hainan Betelnut Valley Li and Miao Cultural Heritage Park, Qiu Hongliang, coach of the Xinjiang team, was drenched with "blessings" from the teenagers on the team. He said the girls are usually busy with training and under pressure, rarely getting such chances to play so joyfully.

chenbowen@chinadaily.com.cn