By Kerry Huang and Wang Ying in Cupertino, California

(Clearwisdom.net) The 24^th Taiwanese & Chinese American Athletic Tournament of San Francisco Bay Area was held at De Anza College in Cupertino, California on June 22, 2008. The local chapter of the Divine Land Marching Band took part in the event, making a deep impression on those in attendance. The head of the local Economic and Cultural Office of Taiwan commented that Falun Gong practitioners were in high spirits and their performance was completely of professional standard.

Divine Land Marching Band enters the tournament venue

Divine Land Marching Band invited to perform in front of the major stage

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises

Young practitioners from Minghui School participate in the tournament

There were 119 groups participating in the tournament this year. The Divine Land Marching Band is invited to perform at the opening ceremony every year, and performed "Falun Dafa Is Good," "Delivering Precious Gifts" and "Fa Rectifies Heaven and Earth" and other pieces. Their performance gained warm applause from the audience.

A group of Falun Gong practitioners wearing bright yellow exercise costumes followed, demonstrating the exercise called "Penetrating the Two Cosmic Extremes." Young practitioners from Minghui School also presented dance performances.

Event organizers spoke highly of the performance by the Divine Land Marching Band. Chairperson Ms. Wu Shuping was very impressed how the band members marched in step. Vice chairman of the organizing committee Sun Yanfu said that they were very disciplined, and they manifested their fine demeanor of cultivating "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance." He said, "When the Divine Land Marching Band performed, you felt relaxed and comfortable. Everybody enjoyed it thoroughly."

Sponsor of the event Ms. Yi Rong announced that the theme of the athletic tournament this year was "Discussing techniques and strengthening our health together, living in harmony and bringing unity to all communities." She said that we should respect every community, and every group, even if they have different beliefs or principles.

Yi Rong praised the Divine Land Marching Band's performance. She said, "I would like to especially thank the Divine Land Marching Band. The band first participated in our event when I worked as Chairperson of the organizing committee. As long as they want to come to join us, they are welcome. We should even invite them to come. I admire the Divine Land Marching Band, I hope to often see them in future."

Chen Chingquan, head of the local Economic and Cultural Office of Taiwan, said that Falun Gong practitioners were in high spirits, and their uniforms were very neat. He commented, "Their performance is completely of professional level. The performance by the Divine Land Marching Band was the highlight of the opening ceremonies."