Two faculty members from Sichuan International Studies University (SISU) were among the officials selected to umpire the tennis events at the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China, which opened in Guangzhou on November 9.

Often called “China’s Olympics,” the National Games—held every four years—serve as the country’s highest-level multi-sport event, showcasing both elite athletic performance and the national commitment to sportsmanship.

Professor Zhang Yong and Professor Zhang Jian from SISU’s Department of Physical Education were appointed by the General Administration of Sport of China to serve as umpires, a recognition of their exceptional expertise and years of experience in tennis officiating.

Professor Zhang Yong, an international chief umpire and international referee, and Professor Zhang Jian, a national-level umpire, are widely regarded as leading figures in China’s tennis officiating community. Beyond their officiating work, both have been instrumental in promoting tennis on campus—teaching courses, mentoring student athletes, and inspiring enthusiasm for the sport among students and faculty alike.

Their participation in the National Games, they said, was both an honor and a responsibility. “It’s a privilege to represent SISU at such a prestigious event,” Zhang Yong shared. “We are committed to performing our duties with fairness, precision, and professionalism.”

SISU has long made tennis an integral part of its campus culture, building an integrated system of teaching, training, competition, and community engagement that involves students and faculty at all levels. The university’s tennis team has earned multiple championships in the Chongqing University Tennis Tournament, and in 2017 won the Women’s Team Championship (Group A, West China Division) of the National College Tennis Tournament. The SISU Tennis Club has also been recognized as a Star Student Organization for its active programs and strong sense of community.

The two professors’ participation in China’s most prominent sporting event marks not only a personal achievement but also an opportunity to bring real-world experience back into the classroom. Their involvement is expected to further strengthen SISU’s tennis education, enrich its athletic programs, and enhance the university’s broader efforts to promote a vibrant culture of sports and wellness.