'Aunties' shoot for success
Female basketball tournament draws villagers, tourists to Leishan county in Guizhou
Auntie basketball has a set of unique rules. Li Xia, general manager of Guizhou Nongdongbao Sports, Travel, and Culture Development Co explained that players don't have to dribble the ball and are allowed to run with it in their arms. Moreover, intentional fouls are the only ones that are called.
During breaks, the spectators were treated to a variety of performances, including wooden drum dances, bronze drum dances and traditional performances put on by people from the Miao and Dong ethnic groups, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the prefecture.
While visiting Leishan, a visitor surnamed Liu said she and her family were drawn to the lively atmosphere and the exciting scenes of an auntie basketball game.
"We had no idea about this tournament before coming here," she said. "It's so intriguing. The aunties are full of love and unity."
Auntie basketball has garnered a significant following online. During this year's Spring Festival, Miao women from Leishan organized an auntie basketball tournament, attracting 75 teams from across the county. The delightful video clips from the event have captivated numerous netizens, with total online views exceeding 2.5 billion.
