International basketball tournament celebrates prefecture's anniversary

An international basketball tournament looks set to thrill hoop fans in southwestern China next month as part of celebrations marking the anniversary of a local autonomous prefecture.

The 2016 "Kaiyuanchengtou Cup" Continental Men's Basketball Tournament will be held in Kaili, Guizhou province from July 16 to July 18.

Four teams will take part in the round robin championship - the Chinese Basketball Association's Bayi Rockets against professional squads from the United States, Canada and Lithuania.

The tournament, which is being organized by Guizhou provincial basketball association and Kaili municipal government, will act as a warm-up for the 60th anniversary celebrations of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture, said organizers in Beijing on Wednesday.

It will also help further promote mass participation in sports and leisure activities while boosting business in the outdoor and tourism sectors, they said.

"Basketball is hugely popular among the youth in China. By hosting the tournament, we are hoping to present the image of a young and vibrant city to the younger generation, both in China and abroad," said Zhou Yu, deputy mayor of Kaili, the prefectural capital.

Located in the southeast of Guizhou, Kaili is home to 33 different ethnic groups that account for 75 percent of the population. Among the 1 million people living there are Miao and Dong peoples.

The region features rugged mountain terrain and plenty of green forest cover, perfect for outdoor sporting events.

Contact the writer at sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn