Chongqing - On October 15, Liu Changsen, a resident of Changsha Town, Kaizhou District, Chongqing, was at the community's cultural square, practicing basketball as he usually does. Humming the self-composed tune, Liu reflected on how the sport has shaped the lives of rural residents.

Basketball games are held in Changsha Town, Kaizhou District, and Chongqing. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

A veteran player and manager of the town’s basketball club, Liu also serves as Deputy Secretary General of the Kaizhou District Basketball Association. “When people think of rural basketball, they usually think of the 'Village BA,' also known as ‘Village Basketball Association’ in Guizhou, but we’ve had similar games here for over 30 years,” says Liu. Basketball has long been popular in Changsha Town, with regular competitions now held on modern courts, a big improvement from the old "coal ash courts."

A basketball dream born on a coal ash court

Liu’s basketball journey started in the summer of 1989. At the time, basketball was popular in the town, but only a few schools had courts. With limited access, Liu and his classmates played “BaBa basketball,” a half-court game that required fewer players.

The conditions were far from ideal. The hoop was just an iron pipe with a wooden backboard, and equipment was scarce. Without proper shoes or balls, Liu often borrowed from his coach or made balls from tape and wastepaper. Despite these obstacles, his love for the game never faded, though rainy days left the courts unplayable.

To fix this, the PE teacher used coal ash to soak up puddles, gradually smoothing the court. Liu perfected his three-point shot there, eventually becoming captain of his college team while the courts continued to develop new talent.

Basketball gains popularity in Changsha Town

In the early 2000s, schools in Changsha Town began upgrading their facilities, replacing coal ash courts with concrete surfaces. Changsha Town also built its first public basketball court in the community's cultural square, sparking more interest in the sport. 

Xu Qingping, a 57-year-old resident, established the basketball club in 2014, using the cultural square as their training ground. Initially, only a few locals joined, but basketball quickly gained a following. Liu Changsen, who had returned to town for a visit, was invited to join after impressing with his shooting skills. With his management experience, Liu proposed weekly games to attract more locals, turning basketball into a regular community event.

The small group of players grew to over 70 members, including students, farmers, and retirees. Crowds now fill the stands, and some fans climb trees to watch.

Today, 18 of Changsha Town’s 25 villages have basketball courts. “We’ve also built table tennis and badminton courts,” says Tan Shuang, a town official. 

Competing on the national stage

In June last year, Changsha Town basketball enthusiasts organized a team to compete in the "Village BA" basketball tournament. The team brought together veteran players to form a squad for the competition. Despite being spread across different regions, they all reunited to compete in the local qualifiers. Changsha Town's team clinched second place in the Southwest Region and went on to the national finals, where they finished seventh overall—a significant achievement for such a small town team.

To further promote basketball in the region, Liu Changsen helped organize a basketball tournament last year. As the event attracted six teams and over 3,000 spectators from across the district, one thing became clear: in Changsha Town, basketball is more than just a game—it’s a celebration of community and tradition.

Changsha Town’s basketball success mirrors a broader trend in Chongqing, where over 5,000 rural cultural and sports events have been held this year. Activities like the "Village BA," "Village TT" (table tennis), and "Village Run," along with traditional events such as dragon boat races and harvest festivals, enrich rural life and unite communities through sports and culture.

(Su Chang, a reporter from Chongqing Daily, contributed the Chinese version of this report.)