The fast-paced squeak of shoes running up and down the courts, the silent pause before a ball is served, the cheers and chants of the crowd, and the blaring buzzer signaling time’s up—it all made for an exciting weekend at NYU Shanghai’s campus gymnasium as student athletes competed in the second leg of the 2024-2025 Sino-Foreign University Cup.
NYU Shanghai’s Qilins showed off their athleticism and sportsmanship as they faced off against University of Nottingham Ningbo China and Duke Kunshan University on November 30 and December 1, competing in basketball, badminton, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and table tennis.
The Qilins finished the weekend maintaining the 2nd place ranking they earned in the first leg of the tournament hosted by UNNC in Ningbo from October 26 to 27. Finishing the second leg of the tournament with a total of 18 points, NYU Shanghai remains sandwiched between DKU’s lead of 20 points and UNNC’s 16 points.
Athletics Program Administrator Nicole Wu welcomed NYU Abu Dhabi badminton and men’s and women’s volleyball teams as special guests to the tournament. “We hope to see some exciting moments within the global NYU community,” she said. The NYUAD Falcons played their hearts out, and once the games were over, they connected with their new NYU Shanghai friends, toured campus, and explored the city.
NYU Shanghai, UNNC, and DKU plan to work together to build the Sino-Foreign University Cup into a regular competition. Director of Athletics Luis Wang said the SFUC was centered around the student-athletes themselves. “We hope that through their performance on and off the field of play, NYU Shanghai students or even staff and faculty members may use sports as a tool to improve their mental and physical health, to build their own social skills with more confidence, to reduce stress and pressure, to be a better team player and naturally, to be a better person.”
This year more NYU Shanghai student-athletes are competing in multiple sports. Hajar Makhchan ’28 played three games on Saturday with both the women’s basketball and women’s soccer team and said the SFUC was one of the biggest competitions she’s ever been a part of.
Makhchan said beyond winning or losing, it was the team spirit she felt on the court, especially in the basketball team’s second match, that will remain with her. “The growth was undeniable,” she said, “and we only lost by a small margin.” Playing on two teams has allowed her to really build those bonds. “It made me so happy when my soccer teammates came to watch me play basketball and vice versa,” she said. “Feeling that kind of support and camaraderie is something I truly cherish.”
Playing for two teams is rewarding but not easy—from managing competition logistics to pacing yourself to be able to push through a long day of multiple matches.
Island Gabler ’28 said one of her favorite moments was playing volleyball against DKU. “I feel the energy that my teammates and I employed was admirable, and I’m very proud of how we all fought during the match,” she said. Gabler said she appreciates the ability to “create your own game and tactics” in tennis as much as the amount of work that goes into building a system of plays and an overall strong team for volleyball.
Is there a formula for the perfect team? Master’s degree student Wang Cunzhu MSOMS '25 takes his responsibility as captain of the men’s basketball team seriously and says sports are just as important as academics in creating a well-rounded student experience. “Being a captain is similar to leading a group project at work—everyone is working toward a common goal, but each teammate has their own personality and strengths,” he said. “The key is to create an environment where everyone can grow together with positive energy.”
Although stepping up to compete can be as nerve-wracking as it is exciting, students felt confident in how they and their teams prepared. James Perlman ’28 from the tennis and men’s basketball teams, pointed out that each team had their own strategy. From cultivating a circle of trust to analyzing strengths and potential weaknesses, the Qilins came ready to give it their all. “We experimented with different player combinations to find the most suitable pairing arrangement,” said badminton player Michelle Tong Xin ’28.
And as for achieving personal goals, Adriana Zhou Xinyue ’27 said her ultimate goal was to “leave no regrets on the court” which included making the most of engaging with visiting students from NYU Abu Dhabi. “I was super excited to meet them,” she said. “I think sports games are a perfect way to get to know people and make friends.”
Captain of the men’s soccer team Erdem Naranbat ’25 said the team’s strength lies in its diversity. “Regardless of our different backgrounds, we always give one hundred percent in every game and have each other’s backs at all times,” he said. “It is always a pleasure to be friends with people from all over the world, who all love the game of football.”
Defeating UNNC at home was also a plus. “Not only did we win 5-1, but it was my last time playing with the left-back that I’ve been playing with for the past four semesters,” Naranbat said. “He even scored a banger—shoutout to my boy, Emi-Pirlo.”
Joining more sports teams equals a chance for students to connect with each other, form friendships, and make memories. “When you truly care about your teammates as people, you will play harder because you are playing for them,” Perlman said.
NYU Shanghai, UNNC, and DKU plan to build the Sino Foreign University Cup into a regular competition reflecting the camaraderie, teamwork, and core values of all three schools. The final leg of the competition will be hosted at Duke Kunshan University from March 22 to 23, 2025.
