Chinese Village Basketball Teams Perform at Half-Time as Guests of Honor at FIBA World Cup Final

PR Newswire
11 Sep 2023, 21:40 GMT+10

MANILA, Philippines, Sept. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At the FIBA Basketball World Cup final 2023, two village basketball teams from rural China were showcased to the world. Players from two village basketball teams in Taipan, a remote village in Guizhou province, were invited to the final as special guests of honor by Yili, the Chinese dairy brand and a key sponsor of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The two teams were half-time performers at the final, which took place between Germany and Serbia on September 10 in Manila, showcasing their hoop skills to a global audience.

In 2022, videos of the village teams went viral on social media, leading netizens to dub the tournament the "Village Basketball Association." It is said that even Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming is a fan.

From rural Guizhou to the streets of Beijing, "Village BA" has become known to basketball fans far and wide, impressed by their passion for the game. Yili, as sports lovers, has not only been moved by the courageous spirit of the rural basketball players but also by the pure love of the sport among the villagers in Guizhou. Regardless of age, the villagers have made basketball a key part of their lives.

Players from all walks of life in the village have come together to play in the Village BA, including a farmer, a clerk, a cowherder, and a plumber. What is behind the special story of the Village BA? Watch the short film below to find out:

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Singapore Star.

More Information

27 ℃

Mostly Cloudy in Seletar

International

Section

UK firm sold parts to jet engine maker with forged paperwork

LONDON, U.K.: Jet engine maker CFM International said this week that thousands of engine components may have been sold with ...

Amid tensions, ASEAN launches first joint military drills in Indonesia

BATAM, Indonesia: Due to mounting geopolitical tensions and protests against China's activities in the South China Sea, ASEAN member nations ...

Musk's Neuralink to implant chip in brain of paralysis patients

FREMONT, California: This week, brain-chip startup Neuralink, owned by billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk, said an independent review board granted ...

Delta flight hit by possible lightning, lands safely in Boston

BOSTON, Massachusetts: Officials said that a Delta flight from Chicago to Boston that was possibly struck by lightning landed safely ...

Indonesian woman jailed for violating country's blasphemy law

JAKARTA, Indonesia: An Indonesian court sentenced Lina Lutfiawati, also known as Lina Mukherjee, to two years in prison this week ...

China wants Hong Kong consulates to give personal data of local staff

HONG KONG: The Chinese Foreign Ministry has issued a request to all foreign consulates in Hong Kong, seeking the personal ...

Business

Section