From February 16 to 19, YCIS Chongqing was invited to attend our first ACAMIS Basketball competition, hosted by the Beijing Bilingual Academy (BIBA) in Beijing.

Unfortunately, on this occasion, YCIS Chongqing was only able to send a Secondary boys team due to reduced numbers on the girls’ side. For some, this was their first time traveling to play basketball, while others were looking to satisfy their unquenchable thirst for competition. Each team was set to play 5 other International schools in what turned out to be a trying test of not only basketball skills, but also determination and teamwork.

While frustration can easily show itself when not achieving to one’s expectations, the YCIS Boys team were consistent in in their effort and never gave up on the court. Recognition from opposing coaches poured in about the never-say-die attitude the boy’s squad used, despite quite literally being towered over by some of the older and taller adversaries. This was proven in their teams’ overall sportsmanship trophy, received at the final awards banquet. Student athletes should absolutely have left the tournament with their heads held high.

Overall, the students were provided with a unique experience to travel and to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World, The Great Wall, compete in the most established sports league in China, and interact with numerous peers who embrace many of the same core values as they do. The experience this tournament provided not only helped the students in the immediate with their skills as athletes, but also marked the progress the school has made in the athletic department as a whole. We look forward to taking part in the future tournaments and experiences that ACAMIS provides.