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More than 200 players from 26 countries came together for a day of footballing fun in Chengdu on Saturday, 23rd October, for the 4th Annual A.B.E. Charity Cup coordinated by Sichuan Quake Relief together with the American Chamber of Commerce in Southwest China, the British Chamber of Commerce Southwest China, and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Chengdu.
Seventeen teams competed for the A.B.E. Charity Cup, held this year in Léman International School. The teams were made up of employees of a mix of international and Chinese companies, and associations that all have offices in Chengdu: Alltech Medical Systems, Chengdu Corning Team, The Chengdu Irish Association (CIA), IBM, Jones Lang LaSalle, Kempinski, KPMG, The Leg and Whistle, Maxxelli Chengdu, Maxxelli Chongqing, Measurement Specialties Chengdu, Cafe Panam(e), Previously Athletic F.C., Proton Products, The Shamrock Shlammers, SMC FC and TGCI Group. Players from China and all over the globe played a total of 42 matches over the day to compete for the coveted winner’ cup, and in the process help raise money for grassroots organisations working on community development and economic regeneration projects in areas affected by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. The spirited atmosphere was bourne out in the fact that not a single yellow card was issued the entire day.
This year the family-friendly event not only boasted top-notch footballing action, but fun activities for children to enjoy, including a bouncy castle, face-painting, beat-the-panda-goalkeeper, and more. In addition to the adult’s event, more than 200 children from international schools in Chengdu participated in the Chengdu Youth Soccer League on an adjacent pitch.
Over an increasingly-tense series of matches, the 17 teams were whittled down to a final four — the top two overall teams competing for the tournament Cup, and two for the Plate. The Plate final was between KPMG and Maxxelli Chongqing, the latter winning 1-0. The Cup final between defending champions TGCI and amateur pub team The Shamrock Shlammers could have gone either way, with both teams performing fantasically throughout the day, but after a spectacular lobbing header from the Shlammer’s striker Conde put the team 3-1 up just before the final whistle, it was all over for TGCI.
As well as trophies for the winners and runners up, this year several special awards were up for grabs. The CIA’s spirited efforts earned them the Fair Play team award; TGCI players scooped both the Golden Boot (most goals scored, Wang Yanfeng) and Most Valuable Player (Deng Yikai); and Conde’s header was named the “Champagne moment” of the competition.
Results in full:
- Cup competition winners: Shamrock Shlammers
- Cup competition runners-up: TCGI
- Plate competition winners: Maxxelli Chongqing
- Plate competition runners-up: KPMG
- Fair play award: The CIA
- Golden Boot: Yang Wenfeng (TGCI)
- Most Valuable Player: Deng Yikai (TGCI)
A huge thank you to all those who participated, and our fantastic support team of volunteers: William Hall of the Crowne Plaza Chengdu for MC’ing the entire event, with simultaneous interpretation performed flawlessly Alice and Helen of Chuanyi Guoji; Collette McGuire and the volunteers for the kids’ activities (special thanks to the star of the show, Kungfu Panda); Rob and Irene Tonge for helping set-up the event and keeping track of the results as they flew in thick and fast; Katie Harris, Christie Kliewer, Frances Nichols and Zhang Zizheng for pitch-management duties; the staff of the American, British and European Chambers in Chengdu; the staff of the Chengdu Bookworm; and not least, our event sponsors:
- Léman International School
- Somerset Riverview Chengdu
- Crowne Plaza Chengdu
- Shangri-La Hotel Chengdu
- Sheraton Hotel Chengdu
- ParkwayHealth
- KC Meats
- Balan Spa
- Proton Products
- Balu Cupcakes
- Pristina Cuppa
The 30,000 RMB raised will go towards supporting grassroots organisations in Mianzhu as part of our Di Kang Le Community Centre project.
