Sponsored by the Chinese University Sports Association, the 10th National Dragon & Lion Dance Championships were held at Sias International University and lasted for 5 days from July 11 to 15. The contestants came from several provinces and autonomous regions, including Hong Kong, and Macao SAR. A total of 45 institutions were represented by almost 800 athletes at the Championships.
Chief guests at the opening ceremony were the Director of the Competition Department of the Chinese University Sports Association, Cheng Jie; Deputy Director of the Department of Sports Health & Art Education at the Henan Provincial Department of Education, Gao Xiang; Executive Vice Chairman of the Chinese University Sports Association, Secretary-General of its Dragon & Lion Dance Branch, and international-level judge, Huang Yisu; Director of the Dragon & Lion Project at the Chinese University Sports Association, Xiao Yang; Vice President of Huangshan University, Hu Shanfeng; Vice-Chairman of the Dragon & Lion Dance Branch at the Chinese University Sports Association, and Party Secretary of Sias International University, Fei Hexiang; Sias President, Dr. Chen Sikun; and Sias Deputy Party Secretary, Li Huafeng. The opening ceremony was presided over by Dr. Chen Sikun.
At the opening ceremony, the Deputy Director of the Department of Sports Health & Art Education at the Henan Provincial Department of Education, Gao Xiang, welcomed the leaders, guests, and contestants. He congratulated Sias International University on its commitment to sports education, and its dedication to promoting traditional Chinese culture, thereby building relationships with other Chinese universities and colleges.
Sias Party Secretary, Fei Hexiang, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Dragon & Lion Dance Branch at the Chinese University Sports Association, delivered the main welcoming speech. He wished the leaders, referees, coaches, and contestants. He also spoke of the history of Sias International University, its educational philosophy, and the international environment. He went on to stress the importance of a well-rounded education, with both western educational concepts and rich Chinese culture. He said that Sias was honored to host the 10th National Dragon & Lion Dance Championships, and said that he hoped that it would inspire students to focus on their health, and all-round development.
Following this, the referees' representative and contestant's representatives swore their oaths. The opening ceremony closed with a series of performances, including dances, martial arts demonstrations, and other sports and cultural performances.
The competition was divided into 3 main categories, as well as separate categories for teachers, international students, and postgraduate students. There were 13 major events and 44 minor competitions within these Championships.
After 5 days of fierce competition, the 10th National Dragon & Lion Dance Championships drew to a close on July 15. The closing ceremony, as with the entire competition, was held in Sias' Basketball Arena. Chief guests at the closing ceremony were the Party Secretary of the Shanghai Urban Construction Vocational College, Chu Min; Executive Vice Chairman of the Chinese University Sports Association, Secretary-General of its Dragon & Lion Dance Branch, and international-level judge, Huang Yisu; Vice President of Dongguan Technical College, Li Jianhong; Director of the Physical Education Department at the Beijing Institute of Technology (Zhuhai), Liu Wentao; Party Secretary of the Institute of Martial Arts & Performing Arts at the Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Ding Jingguo; Sias President, Dr. Chen Sikun, and Sias Deputy Party Secretary, Li Huafeng.
Huang Yisu announced the results of the competition. Among the winners of the main categories, including men's, women's, and mixed groups, were Guilin University of Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, and Huangshan College. Winners of the Sports Ethics and Fashion Award were the Nanjing Forestry University, Hunan Agricultural University, Shanghai Urban Construction Vocational College.
Dr. Chen Sikun delivered the closing speech. He thanked the Chinese University Sports Association, the leaders, guests, referees, coaches, and participants. He said that the contestants had shown the indomitable spirit of the Chinese dragon and lion with their hard work, unity, friendship, and competitiveness. He finally said that Sias International University would use these Championships as an opportunity to deepen relationships with other universities in the country to work towards increasing the popularity of the dragon and lion dances.
At the end of the closing ceremony, the chief guests awarded medals and trophies to the winning teams and individuals.
