The third edition of Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) International Football Tournament (HIFT) was held at HZAU from April 25 to May 4, 2019. Two weeks of competition during which International student (IS) of HZAU came together as a family, playing and enjoying great time of communion away from labs and lecture halls. This year’s edition of the championship experienced an unprecedented massive turn out of IS, their friends and families, and curious onlookers who came to appreciate the games and pushed their teams to victories. In addition to providing a common message of peace, harmony and friendship, HIFT gives relaxation opportunities for IS to discover other culture and make new friends.
Trophies and medals for the winners and runners up HIFT 2019. Photo credit: Wassem Abbas.
Organization and running of HIFT
The IS of HZAU demonstrated a high spirit of mobilization and togetherness by honoring this year again, the sport activities marking the 3rd edition of HIFT. Ten days of intense emotion, pleasure, excitements, and celebrations in a well-organized teams, the occasion was conducive to breaking cultural barriers among IS of HZAU and melting them into one family, united in their diversity, such a wonderful opportunity for cultural enrichment and entertainment.
The tournament is organized by the Department of Recreational and Sport Activities (DRSA) of the Volunteer Center, International College (VCIC), HZAU, and run by a Commission made up of the Coordinators of DRSA, the referees and the captains of participating teams. The rules of the tournament are drafted by the organizing Committee together with the representatives of all teams during a meeting called by the Coordinators in charge of the organization. The Organizing Committee of this year’s edition of HIFT was chaired by Akami Mazarin, Vice-Coordinator at the DRSA. Thanks to the dynamism and networking spirit, the organizing committee succeeded to steer all the games despite some logistic challenges.
Teams that participated at the 3rd HZAU International Football Tournament 2019. Photo credit: Wassem Abbas.
Another victory (3rd consecutive) for Team D (College of Food Science + College of Engineering)
The 2019’s edition of HIFT was highly competitive as all the participating teams showed prove of talents, discipline and fighting spirit. The contest developed into a fascinating cagey final, with Team B (College of Resources & Environment + College of Life Science) inspired by their captain Dr. Karam and Abdelkader up front, pinned D (College of Food Science + College of Engineering) back and limited them to unfruitful long shot balls to Mamoun and Khalifa. The pressure paid off as Abdelkader opened the score with a magnetic goal at 16th min of play, a score that did not change up to half time.
Tarek from team D (left) and Kolleh Alex from team B (right) leading hat trick actions during the final. Photo by Wassem Abbas.
Team B was enthusiastic and played their part in an entertaining final, but some weaknesses at the defense lines overturned their hopes to nightmares. Team D's energy and experience exalted the occasion and provided a thrilling end to a thoroughly entertaining tournament after equalizing and scoring two goals in corner-kicks at the second half of the match, by Zongo and Chris, respectively.
Team D (College of Food Science + College of Engineering) celebrate the victory 2-1 against Team B at the end of the match. Photo credit: Wassem Abbas.
Team D (College of Food Science + College of Engineering): Winners of the 3rd HIFT 2019 celebrating the trophy on the stage. Triple win: The champion trophy, the Top Scorer (Mamoun Adam) and the Best Goal-Keeper (Basheer). Photo credit: Wassem Abbas.
By this victory, Team D (College of Food Science + College of Engineering) conserved the trophy for three years in a row since the first edition of this tournament in 2017. The runners up team B (College of Resources & Environment + College of Life Science) despite their ambitions to win the final, was not able to change the physiognomy of the match and accepted the defeat in a fair-play spirit, while congratulating the winners for their great performance.
Team A (College of Plant Science + College of Horticulture) emerged at the third position of the general classification table while team C (College of Animal Science + College of Economics came at the 4th position.
Mamoun Adam and Basheer, both from Team D were the top scorer with 3 goals and best goal-keeper with 2 goals conceded only throughout the tournament, respectively. All the teams and players are now looking forward to the 4th edition in 2020 and nourish the hope of dethroning Team D from their absolute supremacy since the creation of HIFT.
The organizing committee hereby thanks the International College for their logistic and financial supports and all the participants who sacrificed their time and energy for the success of this 3rd edition of HIFT.
Reported by Akami Mazarin
Reviewed and edited by H. Md-Tahir
Coordinator, Dept. of Secretary-VCIC.