Mountain High, Dreams Higher: Unveiling the Birthplace of Tomorrow’s Visionaries
A Dream in the Mountains, a Future in the Form of Football
“Thousands of hammers strike out from the deep mountains, and raging fire burns without hesitation.” In Honghe County, a women’s football team is writing their own legendary story. From the initial training on the muddy ground to now galloping on the 11-a-side standard football field, and then to the championship of the 2024 Yunnan Province (4th) Youth Football League and Yunnan Province Youth Campus Football Four-Level League Finals, it witnessed their hard work and persistence, and also reflected the development and changes of Honghe County’s sports industry.
From Dirt to Green Fields
Eight years ago, the players of the Honghe County No. 1 High School Women’s Football Team were still training on the muddy ground. At that time, their training conditions were very simple, with no standard stadium and no advanced training equipment. Despite this, the girls’ love for football did not diminish at all. After school every day, they would come to this muddy ground to start their training. On rainy days, the muddy field made them fall all over the mud; on sunny days, the flying dust made them unable to open their eyes… But these difficulties did not stop them from pursuing their dreams.
The Birth of a New Era
In order to improve the training environment and enhance football education, after many efforts, the first cement floor football field in Honghe County was finally built. Even though it is still not a standard football field, it is a huge improvement for them. They no longer have to worry about mud and dust and can focus more on training. Zheng Xuefeng, head coach of the high school women’s football team of Honghe County No. 1 Middle School, said, “It was not until November 2019 that this high-starting point and high-standard 11-a-side football field was built under the leadership of the county party committee and county government and the care and support of all sectors of society. The training environment of our football team has been fundamentally improved.”
7 Consecutive Years of State Champions and 5 Years of Provincial Runner-up
On the concrete floor court, the technical and tactical levels of the women’s football players have been significantly improved. They began to make a name for themselves in state competitions and won the Red River State Women’s Soccer Championship seven years in a row. This achievement not only makes them a star team in the state, but also gives them more opportunities to compete at higher levels.
Be Neither Humble Nor Overbearing and Move Towards Higher Goals
“Every time we win the runner-up title, we feel a sense of pressure and motivation,” said Zhang Yiying, a member of the Honghe women’s football team. “We know that only by continuous efforts can we stand on a higher podium.” In order to achieve this goal, the Honghe women’s football team increased the intensity of training, introduced advanced training methods, and went to Shanghai for training twice, and actively participated in various high-level competitions.
The Provincial Four-Level League Champion, Eight Years of Hard Work Finally Realized the Dream
In the 3rd China Youth Football League (Yunnan Division), the 2024 Yunnan Province (4th) Youth Football League and the Yunnan Province Youth Campus Football Level 4 League, they won the championship. This achievement not only broke their historical record, but also marked that they officially joined the ranks of the top teams in the province.
Dreams in the Mountains Lead to a Better Future
Looking back at the past eight years, they started from a piece of muddy land and walked step by step to where they are today. The Honghe women’s football team has proved themselves with practical actions. Looking forward to the future, they will continue to pursue their dreams and strive to show their style on a higher stage. “Our goal is to enter the national league and compete with the strongest teams in the country.” Li Fenyan, the goalkeeper of the high school women’s football team of Honghe County No. 1 Middle School, said firmly, ”We believe that as long as we continue to work hard, this goal will definitely be achieved.
A Spiritual Inheritance
The story of Honghe women’s football team is not only the growth process of a team, but also a spiritual inheritance. They use their efforts and sweat to interpret what is persistence and struggle. From 2016 to 2023, more than 360 football players were admitted to Hunan Normal University, Yunnan University, Yunnan Normal University, Yunnan Agricultural University and other colleges and universities inside and outside the province, cultivating a group of outstanding football talents for Honghe. At the same time, some graduates have gone to various parts of the province to work in the football industry.
A Brighter Future
Their stories also inspire more people to dare to dream, pursue dreams, and work hard to realize dreams. Every beautiful dream will come true one day. The Honghe women’s football team continues to write their own legend. No matter how difficult the road ahead is, they will continue to move forward, move towards higher goals, and embrace a better future. As their slogan says: “The future is born from the deep mountains.” This team from the deep mountains, like a blooming rose, will surely usher in a more glorious tomorrow.