Xindafang News: On October 28, the long-overcast skies suddenly cleared, giving way to bright sunshine and crisp autumn air. Seizing this perfect weather, the annual Xindafang Staff Sports Meet kicked off once again. The cafeteria, basketball court, staff activity center, and main thoroughfares throughout the factory grounds were packed with participants, as cheers, shouts, and waves of encouragement echoed one after another, brimming with passion and energy and creating an exceptionally lively atmosphere.
A total of 316 participants took part in this sports meet, which featured 11 events. The team events included tug-of-war, basketball, double dutch, five-a-side football, and the 400-meter relay, all of which thoroughly tested the teams’ coordination and collaborative skills. The individual events comprised jump rope, Chinese chess, tire push, badminton, table tennis, and billiards, among others.
As in years past, the tug-of-war competition officially sounded the starting gun for the sports meet. At the tug-of-war venue, cheers and shouts rose and fell in waves, with everyone giving it their all and fighting tooth and nail for every inch of ground—creating an exceptionally lively atmosphere.
Nearly a hundred employees from the Production and Manufacturing Center have formed seven robust tug-of-war teams, exuding an imposing and spirited presence. Even before the competition begins, each team is already rubbing its hands in anticipation, poised and ready to gain the upper hand through sheer momentum. Tug of war is one of the events that best embodies team spirit, and the colleagues in the Gold Processing Workshop know this all too well. They have their own tried-and-true approach: they shout a unified rhythm—“One-two, one-two, one-two”—and pull with all their might in time with the cadence. The Gold Processing Workshop’s tug-of-war team has been the champion for many years running and has once again successfully defended its title this year.
Basketball is all about skill and teamwork—these are the golden rules for victory! This basketball tournament featured three teams: Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Bridge Engineering Company, and Stock Company. The competition was exceptionally thrilling, with each team evenly matched. When the regulation game time expired, the score was still tied; even after two overtime periods, the outcome remained undecided. Every player on the court gave it their all, striving to secure victory for their company and bring glory to their team. In the end, during the third overtime period, Bridge Engineering Company edged out their opponents by a single point to claim the championship.
The “Five-Person Stepping Board” is the team event that best embodies coordination and cooperation: all five participants must move in perfect unison—no speeding up, no slowing down, no veering left or right. Only when everyone marches to the same rhythm and applies equal force can the wooden board beneath their feet propel forward. This event is mixed-gender; there are no separate men’s or women’s divisions. Although the male colleagues may have a physical advantage, they don’t necessarily walk as quickly or as steadily as the female colleagues. In the end, the team from the Metal Processing Workshop took first place, while the five female colleagues from the Heavy Equipment Department outperformed several male teams to claim second.
As an equipment-manufacturing company, tires are, of course, old friends to us—our workshop colleagues interact with them every single day. The tire-pushing race is highly entertaining and has become a staple event at our annual sports meet. Each tire weighs about 150 jin, which is even heavier than some of the employees taking part in the competition. At first glance, pushing a tire may seem simple, but getting it to roll quickly and steadily is far from easy. Just look: along the track, agile figures deftly steer the tires, racing headlong toward the finish line…
Table tennis, badminton, jump rope, checkers, Chinese chess, and double-deck bridge are popular recreational sports that enjoy widespread public appeal and attract large numbers of participants. Although jump rope is traditionally considered a women’s sport, the competition venue was nonetheless graced by the agile figures of many male colleagues; the swift, whirling ropes left even the female competitors trailing in awe and admitting their inferiority.
Life lies in movement; engaging in sports not only strengthens the body and hones one’s willpower, but also cultivates both mind and spirit. The employees’ sports meet not only enriches staff members’ leisure time and reminds them to prioritize physical exercise outside of work, but also serves as a platform for fostering camaraderie, enhancing communication, and encouraging interaction among colleagues.
Here, there are no hierarchies or distinctions between new and veteran employees—only athletes, only competitors. Guided by the principle of “friendship first, competition second,” everyone participates for the sheer enjoyment of it, fostering camaraderie, showcasing their skills, and embodying the optimistic, confident, vigorous, and energetic spirit that defines the people of Xindafang.
