Rural sports reel in fans
Soccer, basketball and volleyball are the three major sports in China and are even popular in the country's rural areas.
This year, after the successful staging of the "Village Basketball Association", known in Chinese as Cun BA, in Guizhou province, the "Village Super (Soccer) League", known in Chinese as cun chao, became a sensational event, attracting audiences from both home and abroad to the southwestern province.
The soccer league, known as the "Village Super", consists of 20 teams from various villages and ethnic groups in Rongjiang county, Guizhou. The players are amateurs from all walks of life, including farmers, students, businessmen, police officers and drivers age 15 to 50.
On the evening of July 29, the final of the Village Super drew thousands of people to a fully-packed stadium. Since its launch on May 13, the league has attracted over 3.38 million fans.
The charm of rural sports events lies not only in the fierce competition on the field but also in the integration of various offerings and activities, including the chance to try local foods, socialize with residents and learn about ethnic folk culture.
