The allure of village sports

The soaring popularity of village basketball and football tournaments in Guizhou has prompted us to reflect on the true allure and significance of sports. Recent reports indicate that the ongoing Cun Chao (Village Super League) in Rongjiang County and the recently concluded Cun-BA (Village Basketball Association) in neighboring Taijiang County have collectively garnered over 3 billion views. Astonishingly, this figure surpasses the viewership of the China Basketball Association and China Super League, possibly even blotting out the records set by revered foreign dream teams that the villagers idolize.

An aerial view of a match of the Cun Chao (Village Super League) in Rongjiang County, Guizhou Province, on Friday. Photos by Xinhua

Observations collected by the reporters sent to cover the events shed light on several distinctive factors. Notably, the local community’s love and enthusiastic support are palpable, with villages near the playing fields left deserted on match days as villagers flock to witness the exhilarating games. The players themselves consist of villagers, many of whom work in nearby areas or even hundreds of miles away in cities. Some individuals make arduous journeys back to their villages to participate in or watch the games.

An aerial view of a match of the Cun Chao (Village Super League) in Rongjiang County, Guizhou Province, on Friday. 

Remarkably, the absence of significant financial support thus far is worth noting. Players in village teams either bear the expenses for their own jerseys, shoes, or boots, or seek assistance from fellow villagers who willingly contribute funds or other resources to uphold their village’s honor. These contributions, whether monetary or in kind, demonstrate the deep sense of communal pride and unity prevalent among these villagers.

The ongoing Cun Chao tournament has been averaging over 10,000 spectators per game, an impressive figure considering the county’s population of less than 300,000. In addition to their spirited presence, few villagers arrive at the games empty-handed.

Villagers flock to watch a Cun Chao game in Rongjiang County on Friday.

Many bring along freshly-picked fruits, homemade snacks, or local liquor. Dressed in traditional festive attire, they extend warm invitations to fellow visitors, enticing them to partake in the shared food, drink, and the joyous singing and dancing that takes place before and after each match. The villagers’ hospitality has yielded fruitful results, as tourism numbers have surged by more than 70% in recent months.

Surprising to those accustomed to witnessing misconduct, cheating, bribery and corruption in major competitions like Chinese soccer and basketball leagues, the village sport has remained untainted by such incidents. The players in these tournaments exhibit unwavering dedication in their pursuit of honor for their villages, despite the prizes for winners being as humble as cows, pigs, chickens, or donated watermelons. The atmosphere at the games resembles that of a vibrant cultural festival rather than a high-stakes sports tournament.

This evokes memories of sports competitions held in a similar ambiance decades ago when the intrusion of big money had not yet compromised the true essence and allure of sports. The phenomenon in Guizhou serves as a poignant reminder of what has been lost amidst the current commercialization of sports, rekindling a sense of nostalgia among fans.