Athletes and coaches of the China Women’s National Team visited City University of Hong Kong (CityU) for the first time today (20 June) and met with students to share their spirit and determination in striving to become national athletes. 

The China Women’s National Volleyball Team participated in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong 2023 from 13 to 18 June.

The “Dialogue with the China Women’s National Volleyball Team” was jointly organised by CityU and the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China (VBAHK). The five National Team athletes were Yuan Xinyue, Li Yingying, Zheng Yixin, Diao Linyu and Zhong Hui, and team coaches Yu Fei and Bao Chunyu. The meeting received an overwhelming response, with more than 500 CityU students, staff and alumni participating.

In her welcome remarks, Dr Isabel Yan Kit-ming, Associate Provost (Student Life) of CityU, expressed her gratitude to the team for visiting CityU.  

She said the spirit and achievements of the National Team would inspire students with more enthusiasm and motivation for continuous improvement.

During the dialogue, the athletes shared their thoughts on training and preparing for matches, and told interesting stories about international competitions. The students were inspired and motivated by their determination, perseverance and strong will to achieve outstanding results in every competition. 

The participants also witnessed the National Team’s demonstration of world class skills up close. Diao Linyu demonstrated her overhead passing skills, and other team athletes played against members of the CityU Volleyball team and audience in a reaction time challenge. The highlight was when the team athletes signed autographs on the plush toys with CityU logo. The audience were very enthusiastic to try luck in getting the souvenirs.    

Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise) said he was a veteran volleyball fan and was moved by the fighting spirit of the national team. 

“Today, the country has become prosperous, and the China Women’s National Volleyball Team is full of confidence”, he said. He also promised to welcome members of the National Team to study at CityU after their retirement.

He also thanked Mr Robert Lui Chi-wang, CityU Council member and an independent director of VBAHK for making this event possible. 

More than 1,200 student-athletes have been admitted through CityU’s Student Athletes Admission Scheme since it was set up in early 1997. In the past 15 years, CityU won seven out of 12 Grand Slams in the local sports league, in which 13 local major tertiary institutions, including the eight UGC-funded universities, participate.

Media enquiries: Jacqueline Tang, Communications and Public Relations Office (Tel: 3442 6819 or 9756 7877)