YANGON, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Cheers, laughter and words of encouragement filled the National Indoor Stadium (1) in Yangon on Sunday as thousands of Chinese-language learners came together for a day of friendly sports competition, turning sports into a bridge for friendship, teamwork and cultural exchange.
Away from their usual classrooms, where they spend hours studying Chinese characters, pronunciation and grammar, the students took part in a range of sports and recreational activities, which allowed them to build stronger relationships with classmates, teachers and fellow learners from different parts of Yangon.
For many participants, the gathering was about more than winning or losing. It was a chance to communicate, cooperate and get to know one another in a lively and friendly environment.
Phyo Khant Kyaw, a 17-year-old student from Hlaingthaya township who has been learning Chinese for more than a month, took part in football.
"We can make memories with friends and teachers through this event," he said.
"The friendship we gain helps us learn Chinese more easily. We are here like a family, like siblings," he said, adding that he chose to study Chinese because of his passion for the language and the job opportunities it could bring.
He said singing Chinese songs was the most interesting part of learning the language, while writing Chinese characters was the most difficult part.
Other students saw the event as an opportunity to expand their social circles beyond their own classrooms.
Ei Thinzar Aung, 29, from Kamayut township, took part in recreational games.
"Through this event, we can build closer friendships with students from other townships," she said, adding that the new connections also allowed students to exchange experiences about learning Chinese.
"We all have different careers, and Chinese helps us a lot in our careers. We don't need to go abroad to use Chinese. We can use the Chinese language and work with it even in Myanmar," she said.
For Hein Min Khant, a 19-year-old student from North Okkalapa township, it was his first time participating in such an event.
"Through friendship gained during the event, we will be able to learn Chinese more smoothly," he said after taking part in a running game.
Having studied Chinese for about two months, he hopes the language will help him secure a decent job and one day visit China.
Nang Yein Hlyan, a teacher at the Golden Education Sharing Center in Yangon, said, "As the students are learning a foreign language (Chinese), they need an environment where they can practice it. The environment is very important for mastering a language."
She added that classroom lessons provide textbook knowledge, but mastering a language also requires using it in real-life situations, and friendships formed through such events can make it easier for students to practice Chinese with one another.
Daw Aye Aye, principal of the Golden Education Sharing Center and an organizer of the event, said about 7,000 Chinese-language learners participated in the sports gathering.
"We organized the event so that it would be memorable for the students and boost friendship among them," she said.
U Tin Oo, chairman of the Myanmar-China Friendship Association, said the event helped promote cultural exchange and friendship between the two countries through sports.
"We must build the friendship between Myanmar and China through these students and young people," he said.
"As they grow up and enter the workforce, they can help make Myanmar-China friendship more lasting and stronger," he added. Enditem
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