2026 Fo Guang Cup Kicked Off on July 28, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai Presided Over the Tip-Off Ceremony

The Merit Times
July 28, 2026

The 13th Fo Guang Cup International University Basketball Invitational tipped off today (July 28). In addition to three domestic teams participating across the men's and women's divisions, 13 top-tier teams from eight countries have also been invited to Taiwan to join the competition.

Accompanied by the tournament's theme song, "Follow Me Be the Light," the teams entered the arena in sequence. They included the host Fo Guang University women's basketball team, Guang Ming College men's basketball team (part of the Fo Guang system), National Chengchi University men's basketball team, and National Taiwan Normal University women's basketball team, alongside elite powerhouse teams hailing from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Japan, the Philippines, and Macao.

Distinguished guests, players, and spectators gathered together to officially launch the Fo Guang Cup. A video message featuring teachings from Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, was played at the ceremony. Coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the founding of Fo Guang Shan—under the theme "Sixty Years of Passing the Light, Looking Ahead to a Century"—the Fo Guang Cup upholds Venerable Master's "Three Acts of Goodness" philosophy, emphasizing equal importance on athletic skill and moral character. In the video, the Master enlightened the audience on how to comfortably utilize the power of the "mind" during competition.

At the ceremony, Kao Chin-hsiung, President of the Three Acts of Goodness Sports Association, read a congratulatory telegram from President Lai Ching-te. President Lai extended his best wishes for the complete success of the event and expressed his hope that hosting the Fo Guang Cup would deepen international exchanges and lead new sports trends.

In his address, Venerable Hui Chuan, Standing Vice Abbot of Fo Guang Shan, noted that Venerable Master Hsing Yun was passionate about sports and founded the Fo Guang Cup at Fo Guang University in 2010. Later, the tournament relocated to Kaohsiung to expand the scope of propagating the Dharma through sports and to practice the "Three Acts of Goodness" spirit. He encouraged the elite teams gathered here to demonstrate sportsmanship while tackling challenges, showcasing not only their competitive prowess but also spreading the "Three Acts of Goodness." He urged everyone to "Be the Light"—to become beams of light that illuminate others and inspire hearts, extending this positive energy to families, society, and the nation.

Chao Han-Chieh, President of Fo Guang University, expressed his gratitude to Fo Guang Shan, the Kaohsiung City Government, and various sectors for their long-standing support of the Fo Guang Cup. Highlighting Fo Guang University as a model school for life education, he emphasized that sports can be integrated with spiritual cultivation, serving as an excellent way to practice the "Three Acts of Goodness" (Do Good Deeds, Speak Good Words, Think Good Thoughts) and "Four Givings" (Give Others Confidence, Give Others Joy, Give Others Hope, Give Others Convenience).

Chen Chi-mai, Mayor of Kaohsiung, stated in his speech that as the Fo Guang Cup enters its 13th edition, it has become one of Asia's most iconic international university basketball tournaments. With 16 top-tier teams from nine countries participating this year, he welcomed players from all over to Kaohsiung. Quoting Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s words from 11 years ago—"Victory and defeat are temporary, but friendship is forever"—Mayor Chen encouraged the athletes to uphold the true spirit of sportsmanship and enjoy the competition.

Following the ceremony, the women's division games officially commenced. Mayor Chen Chi-mai was specially invited to host the ceremonial tip-off for the opening matchup between Fo Guang University and Japan's Tohoku Gakuin University, kicking off the exciting tournament amidst enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

Prior to the opening ceremony, vibrant dance performances were delivered by the Fo Guang Youth Association Jin Guang Ming Sub-division Dance Team, the BLIA South Region Association Kaohsiung-Pingtung Section 3 Cheerleading Squad, and the Guang Ming College Cheerleading Squad from the Philippines, fully showcasing the passion of Southern Taiwan’s premier basketball event.