Feature: Basketball enlightens villagers' life in SW China's Guizhou

GUIYANG, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- 81-year-old villager Lu Dajiang, who started playing basketball at seven years old, always visits his village's court to shoot some hoops.

Lu came from Taipan Village, Taijiang County in southwest China's Guizhou Province, which is home to more than 1,100 villagers from over 270 households. Two-thirds of the villagers enjoy basketball.

During the traditional Chixin Festival, which falls on the sixth day of the sixth month of China's lunar calendar, the village would host a basketball competition and invite locals from nearby townships to celebrate a good harvest.

Basketball has been popular among local villagers for more than 80 years, and has been passed on from generation to generation.

Wu Xiaolong, a local from the post-90s generation, started to play basketball at the age of 10 and often invited his peers to play.

Wu said that as he grew up, his love for basketball changed from pure interest to a deep admiration, and basketball has changed the trajectory of his life.

After graduating from junior high school, Wu almost dropped out for his poor academic performance and prepared to go out for work. Under the persuasion of his parents and in order to have more time to play basketball, he continued his education and became a member of the school basketball team in high school.

In 2011, Wu was admitted to university. After graduation, he became a physical education teacher in a primary school in his hometown. In addition to his teaching duties, he is also responsible for providing after-school training for more than 50 students in his school's basketball club.

Wu said that in the past, he mainly played basketball by personal experience, and now children can receive professional training. He added that he feels proud to help them improve their basketball skills and hopes that every child can realize their dreams.

In Taipan Village, every time a basketball game starts, young people who work outside rush back to organize or participate in the game. Wu is currently serving as the referee and live commentator of the village's basketball association.

"My youth was wonderful because of basketball. I want to share the passion and happiness of basketball with the crowd," he said.

Because of the festive atmosphere and the down-to-earth nature, rural basketball games in the village became a hit on the internet and attracted the attention of international basketball players.

This July, NBA player Jimmy Butler came to Taipan Village to cheer for the event.

Li Jiahao, a 14-year-old Miao boy from Taipan, now attends school in Yunfu City of Guangdong Province after his parents migrated there to make a living. Li saw the popularity of basketball at home, and asked his father to help sign up for the competition held on the Chixin festival.

To Li's surprise, he met his idol on his doorstep.

"As a grassroots player, Butler will always struggle on the basketball court and will not be discouraged in the face of falling behind," said Li, adding that he hoped that he could be a strong person like Butler and adhere to his dream whether in study or life.

On October 25, the finals of a national village basketball competition, dubbed CunBA, kicked off in Taipan Village. Eight teams from across China competed against each other.

From host of a village basketball game to a provincial league, this mountainous village has developed into a destination for national basketball events.

Seeing the hot atmosphere of playing basketball on the court, Lu is also eager to have a try. "I still have my jersey and a basketball at home. I enjoy good health through sports, and I'd like to play another game if permitted," said the 81-year-old.