The Centenary Famous School Cup | Xu Li, the team doctor from Kunming No. 1 Middle School, adds a special touch to the event.

Reporter Wang Wei reports. Many people enjoy football, but it's difficult to determine how many doctors truly love the game. At the 2025 Centenary Famous School Cup football tournament in Nansha, Guangzhou, there is a female team doctor with a deep passion for the sport—Xu Li from the Kunming No. 1 Middle School football team. During this event at the Guangzhou Youlian School, she earned the title of "Most Beautiful Team Doctor" through her actions, adding a unique flair to the tournament.

On the day of the opening ceremony of the Centenary Famous School Cup, the local temperature in Nansha soared to 37 or 38 degrees Celsius. A staff member suddenly suffered from heatstroke and exhibited fever symptoms, with a heart rate reaching 130. Xu Li, the team doctor from Kunming No. 1 Middle School, quickly provided treatment on-site. Through emergency measures and acupressure, the patient's symptoms were alleviated. Afterwards, the staff member expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Xu.

True feelings are revealed in critical moments, which also reflects Dr. Xu Li's decisive and swift emergency response capabilities. During the high school division of the Centenary Famous School Cup football tournament held in Nansha, whenever players from other teams needed treatment or bandaging, if Xu Li was present, she would promptly assist them with their injuries. Thus, she gradually earned the praise of "Most Beautiful Team Doctor."

In fact, Xu Li is not only the team doctor but also the school doctor at Kunming No. 1 Middle School. With over 3,000 students and only one school doctor, she handles numerous tasks daily. Additionally, she serves as the secretary of the school’s administrative party branch, making her days quite busy. However, she remains committed to providing careful treatment and quiet encouragement to the football team members, supporting them throughout.

In professional football and among professional teams, having a team doctor is standard. However, for school football teams, it is not easy for the school doctor to travel with the team. The Kunming No. 1 Middle School football team has a team of doctors thanks to the efforts of head coach Zhao Jian, who secured support from the school principal, Zhao Candong.

Dr. Xu Li has extensive medical experience. When dealing with injured players, she first assesses the severity of their injuries before deciding whether they need to go to the hospital for further examination and whether they can continue playing in the next match. Her accurate diagnoses and encouraging words provide great reassurance to the players. Kunming No. 1 Middle School player Deng Hongyu stated, "Dr. Xu plays a crucial role in our physical recovery and psychological guidance. After matches, the team doctor helps us address injuries and pain, using techniques like massage and kinesiology tape for professional protection. She also provides significant guidance in our daily studies and lives, which is very beneficial for us."

During the tournament, the temperature in Guangzhou was quite high. Dr. Xu Li remarked, "The only challenge we faced in adapting to the competition in Guangzhou was the weather. We took the train from Kunming to Guangzhou, and right after we arrived, some players said, 'I can’t catch my breath.' Competing in such hot weather is quite tough for the players; after the matches, their jerseys were soaked with sweat, and it was hard to see them struggle." In these temperatures, Dr. Xu continuously reminded the players to drink electrolyte water, "because it contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and other minerals that help replenish lost fluids, allowing for faster recovery."

This tournament held in Nansha left a deep impression on Dr. Xu Li. "I noticed that this year, the incidence of injuries among the team members was relatively low, which I attribute to the excellent playing conditions at this event. The Kunming No. 1 Middle School football team has participated in many national-level competitions, and the facilities provided by Guangzhou Youlian School and Hengli Citizen Sports Park are truly professional."

"Moreover, the organizers specifically provided ice packs, Snickers bars, and rehydration salt solutions, which were very professional. These details reflect the attitude of the organizers towards hosting the event. Each match had two boxes of mineral water and one box of sports drinks arranged, and there were even fans by the field to cool the athletes down. These thoughtful touches made the tournament very considerate and caring," Dr. Xu said.

Zhao Jian, head coach of the Kunming No. 1 Middle School football team, stated, "When the team competes away from home, injuries, fevers, and stomach aches often occur, necessitating the presence of a doctor for emergency treatment. Kunming No. 1 Middle School specifically arranges for a team doctor to fully support the team, which is not easy for a border school. We appreciate the encouragement and support from the school leadership for the team."

During the competition in Nansha, Coach Zhao Jian woke up every morning to patrol at dawn and required the air conditioning to be set at 26 degrees Celsius, allowing the players to adapt to a slightly sweaty feeling. They employed the most scientific methods to adjust the players' conditions. He hopes that through this collective living experience, the players will develop good habits.

"2025 marks the 120th anniversary of Kunming No. 1 Middle School. The school has invested in new football fields and swimming pools, allowing students to enjoy the joy of campus football and sports. Now, the three major ball leagues organized by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Education and the football competitions along the high-speed rail provide a great platform for young footballers across Yunnan," said Zhao Jian.

"The Centenary Famous School Cup held in Nansha has been excellent in terms of operation, organization, management, and service, especially regarding accommodation and bathing facilities, ensuring great support for the athletes. Additionally, the event provided opportunities for communication between teams, such as English corners, forums, and lectures. The teams stayed in the beautiful Guangzhou Youlian School, which is of very high quality. We thank the Nansha District Cultural, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau, as well as the 'Football' newspaper, for creating such great conditions and platforms for this event," he said.