On May 11, a special homecoming took place at Jiefang Road Primary School in Xuzhou, as 22 players from the “Su Chao” (Jiangsu Super League) Xuzhou team, including last season’s hero Yang Hao, returned to the pitch where their football dreams began. The event brought together young footballers from seven local schools, including Jiefang Road, Jinpu West Road, and Wangjie Primary Schools, for an unforgettable afternoon of mentorship and play.
The session kicked off with a symbolic exchange: students presented the players with their school flag, while Yang Hao offered a signed match ball—the very one that had been fiercely contested during last year’s Su Chao season. This simple gesture carried the weight of football heritage passing from one generation to the next.
“I used to be just like them, kicking the ball right here on this campus every day,” Yang Hao recalled. Living just across from the school’s east gate, he would sprint home to change into his kit and then dash straight back to training. His coach’s words stuck with him: “There’s no shortcut in football—just more hard work and more heart.” Those words drove his unforgettable 88th-minute header in the Su Chao final, a moment that embodied the never-say-die spirit that has become the league’s trademark.
Zheng Xuejian, another Su Chao player from Jinpu West Road Primary, shared his own story. Running his hand over the scar on his forehead from a childhood collision, he laughed: “My coach scooped me up without a second thought and rushed me to the hospital. Six stitches.” Looking at the young players today, whose skills already surpass those of his own generation at the same age, Zheng felt both envy and pride. He knelt down and told one boy, “Enjoy the game, and always respect those who help you.”
The field soon erupted into friendly matches—PK competitions and teacher-student face-offs. “Stay calm! Watch your pass weight!” players shouted, their instructions blending with the cheers of the children. After scoring a goal, Li Yizeng of Jiefang Road Primary School beamed with excitement. Having played since kindergarten, he grew up dreaming of joining the local Su Chao team. “Playing alongside these brothers taught me so much! I’ll keep training and one day fight for my hometown,” he vowed.
After the match, the young footballers crowded around the players, asking for autographs and advice. Wu Hongyang, also an alumnus of Jiefang Road Primary School, wrote “Keep going” and “Stay persistent” in one student’s training notebook. “We never had such great facilities when we were kids—we practiced on dirt and cinder tracks, dreaming of getting a pro player’s signature,” he said. Seeing the modern fields and the vibrant football culture now flourishing at his old school filled him with a deep sense of purpose and connection.
The event was more than just a training session; it was a living testament to the enduring spirit of grassroots football in Jiangsu.
