Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football from September 17th to 28th
at noon on September 12th
the women’s football team
of École Polytechnique de l’Université Paris-Saclay (France)
arrived at Dalian North Railway Station
the first team to reach Dalian
Head Coach Marapel said, “As the first team to arrive, I believe we are also the most well-prepared one, and I hope we can achieve good results.”
In the afternoon of the same day, over 20 players and coaches from the women’s football team of École Polytechnique de l’Université Paris-Saclay visited the Development Zone Campus of Dalian Minzu University, where they had a vivid and interesting exchange and competition with teachers and students of the university on cuqiu (ancient Chinese football) and tuoluo (spinning top), two traditional Chinese ethnic sports.
The tuoluo (spinning top) sport originated from traditional hunting. It remains extremely popular among ethnic minority groups such as the Lahu, Bai, and Yi peoples in Yunnan Province, and is an official event at China’s National Traditional Ethnic Minority Sports Games. Dalian Minzu University holds a tuoluo competition every year, and represents Dalian in the provincial Traditional Ethnic Minority Sports Games, achieving excellent results.
Holding a whip in one hand and a tuoluo in the other, Céline, captain of the women’s football team from École Polytechnique de l’Université Paris-Saclay, walked to the center of the venue. With the help of a student from Dalian Minzu University, she played excitedly and soon managed to hit the target to score points. The Chinese student also explained the sport’s skills and scoring rules to Céline. “I’ve never played this kind of game before… It’s really fun,” Céline said excitedly.
Cuqiu (a traditional Chinese ball sport) is a sports activity with profound historical and cultural connotations. Its origins can be traced back to the Warring States Period more than two thousand years ago, and its predecessor is Cuju. Cuqiu is not only a treasure of Chinese civilization but also the origin of world football. Seeing that it is also a sport that involves kicking with the feet, the French female football players were particularly excited and even played cuqiu with great interest, dribbling and making feints.
Ustadt, the team leader of the women’s football team from École Polytechnique de l’Université Paris-Saclay, said, “Culture and sports have always been interconnected. We have come to a new country and experienced cuqiu and tuoluo. These two sports are not available in Europe or France, and we are very happy about it.”
Qi Kai, Deputy Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Office of Dalian Minzu University, stated that the university attaches great importance to the reception and support work for this event. University leaders have taken the lead on multiple occasions to organize relevant departments for promotion meetings and make comprehensive plans. During their stay at the university, activities such as martial arts performances and a “Young Football Players’ Camp Visit Day” will also be held, enabling French university students to gain a comprehensive understanding of Dalian Minzu University, Dalian, and China.
Civilizations become diverse through exchange and enriched through mutual learning. When foreign young students hold the whip for the Chinese tuoluo and practice dribbling with the Chinese cuqiu, the vivid scene not only showcases the exchange and interaction of sports but also represents a cross-border friendship and understanding.
