Village Super League: A Vibrant Showcase of Rural China
What drew Brazilian football legend Kaká, Italian star Cannavaro, and over 1,400 teams from more than 50 countries and regions, along with 16.69 million fans and tourists, to this football pitch, bringing their local foods and cultures with them, all filled with unmatched enthusiasm?
The answer lies in the 'Village Super League,' a rural football tournament in Rongjiang, Guizhou, showcasing the energetic essence of the Chinese countryside.
Since the summer of 2023, Guizhou Rongjiang has hosted nearly 2,000 Village Super League matches, generating over 95 billion views online. More than 1,300 football teams from 34 provincial regions in China, alongside 28 teams from over 50 countries including France, Argentina, the USA, Brazil, and Algeria, with over 1,160 players, have participated in the Village Super League.
With a population of 385,000, Rongjiang has a rich history of rural football spanning over 80 years, with one in every eight residents playing the sport. These 'grassroots' players come from various backgrounds, including farmers, students, teachers, chefs, shop owners, and corporate workers, ranging in age from teens to those in their fifties. They have created memorable moments like 'world-class goals,' 'overhead kicks,' and 'headers,' embodying the spirit of the Village Super League, which celebrates participation driven by passion and the honor it brings.
The Village Super League football field also serves as a vibrant showcase of Chinese culture. Rongjiang is home to many ethnic groups, with over 80% of its population belonging to minorities such as the Dong, Miao, Shui, and Yao. Since the rise of the Village Super League, more than 10,000 people have performed 258 cultural programs. The Dong Grand Songs and Dong Duoye Dance, recognized as local intangible cultural heritages, have graced the Village Super League stage, while performances and cuisines from various Chinese ethnic groups, including Chaoshan Yingge Dance and Tibetan dance, have come together, creating a refreshing cultural landscape in the digital age.
Looking ahead to 2028, Guizhou Rongjiang's Village Super League aims to host its own 'World Cup,' a rural football event that the local community will love, blending sports and culture in a non-commercial format. This is something to eagerly anticipate!
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