Chongqing - In the remote mountains of Chongqing's Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County, the girls of Sanhe Town Primary School’s football team chase their dreams. From dribbling and shooting to competing at local, regional, and national levels, this journey has shaped the futures of over 200 left-behind girls over the past 12 years.

Members of the Sanhe Primary School girls' football team from Chongqing's Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County pose for a group photo in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, on August 15, 2024. (Photo/Wan Nan, Visual Chongqing)

Challenges in rural education

Providing enriching education in rural areas has always been challenging, especially for left-behind children. Sanhe Town Primary School has used football to guide more than 200 girls toward their strengths and aspirations. Over the years, 80 girls have been selected for top schools in Chongqing, and 21 graduates have entered university as athletic scholars.

Despite the remote location, these girls have found a way out of the mountains through football, creating opportunities for a brighter future.

Students toss footballs into the air to celebrate the start of the new school year during the opening ceremony in Chongqing Shizhu Sanhe Primary School on September 1, 2023. (Photo/Wan Nan, Visual Chongqing)

When Sun Xiaoming became the principal of Sanhe Town Primary School in 2012, he faced an uphill battle. With over 60% of students being left-behind children, he needed to find a way to break the cycle of dropping out, working, and early marriage. Football became the answer.

Building the team

In 2013, the first girls’ football team was formed with 20 players, most of them were left-behind children. However, their first competition in 2014 ended in disappointment, finishing last in the county league. Rather than giving up, the team trained even harder, and in 2015, they claimed the county championship and, soon after, the municipality championship. This victory was the start of a remarkable rise, with the team now having won 49 trophies in various competitions.

Children train hard in Chongqing Shizhu Sanhe Primary School on June 21, 2016. (Photo/Wan Nan, Visual Chongqing)

The team's growing success attracted professional coaches, improving their training and opportunities. Chen Gong, who joined the school in 2019 as a professional coach, emphasized how systematic training turned the girls into skilled athletes. The school also upgraded its facilities, further elevating their game.

Over the years, more families from surrounding areas have relocated to Sanhe Town to enroll their daughters in the football program, recognizing the potential for athletic scholarships and future opportunities.

Life beyond the mountains

The impact of football on these girls extends far beyond the field. In 2023, the team won the national league championship. Soon to attend a key high school, captain Xiang Yuxia recalled how football broadened her horizons, "Before traveling for competitions, I had never seen the sea." The best striker Wang Ruolan even traveled to Germany to watch the Eurocup final as part of her award.

Football has opened doors for these girls to experiences they had never imagined, helping them gain confidence and discover a world beyond their mountain home.

After the match, children celebrate their victory with high-fives to their coach and substitute players in Chongqing No. 7 High School football field on March 25, 2017. (Photo/Wan Nan, Visual Chongqing)

Football has not only provided these girls with pride and confidence but also a clear path to success. "Through football, the children have found direction in life," said Sun Xiaoming.

In 2017, the team was honored with the “Ten Most Inspiring People in Chongqing” special award. The award citation stated, “Even without your parents, your hearts are filled with love, joy, and dreams. You believe that as long as there is sunshine in your heart, your feet will carry you far.”

These girls are proving that dreams can come true with determination and support, even from remote places.

(Bai Zhiyu, and Liu Xinwu, reporters from People's Daily, contributed to this report's Chinese version.)