Everything you need to know about CunBA, one of the world's fastest-growing basketball league you've never heard of 

Gloria Fung

Everything you need to know about CunBA, one of the world's fastest-growing basketball league you've never heard of  image

If you thought the NBA end-of-season games were exciting over the easter long weekend, you've not seen the enthusiasm and excitement that's come out of a rural basketball league in China that's attracted well close to 100 million live views across several of China's streaming platforms. 

The Village Basketball Association, based in Guizhou province in Northern China, is better known as 'CunBA', Cun being the word for Village in Mandarin. The grassroots league was established in the early 2016 but has recently captured a whole new generation of basketball fans nationwide.  Amateur basketball players representing their village vie not for cash prizes or towering trophies; instead, the winning team gets to take home live ducks, rice and traditional Miao-style silver headdresses. 

While the Chinese Basketball Association(CBA) has gained popularity in the country over the past several years, the CunBA drums up a special kind of emotion and excitement among spectators unlike what you'll experience at professional games. It could well be to do with the fact the audience is cheering for their neighbours and relatives representing their village or that none of the 20,000 spectators who made their way to the year's final game had to pay for their tickets. Entrance is free at the CunBA, and those who struggle to find a seat on the bleachers are welcome to come up with creative ways to enjoy the game; some stand on 10-feet tall ladders they bring with them on their two-hour journey to the open-air court while others scale rooftops and pagodas for a prime bird's eye view. 

The cultural phenomenon not only has those in Guizhou province excited, Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming shared on Weibo, a Chinese microblog platform similar to Twitter, that he loves seeing the passion on the court and wondered if he'll be able to score a seat at the popular event. 

The Village Basketball Association, during the 2022/2023 season, had a total of 176 participating teams from the various farming villages in the region, hosting close to 5000 grassroots games. Only those with residential rights can represent their village, meaning no trades are allowed in the amateur tournament.
 

And suppose Yao Ming's enthusiasm for the league is any indication, it looks as though there will be different conferences popping up across the nation to form a super grassroots league.

Also see: Did Bruce Lee die from drinking too much water? What's overhydration and how to avoid it

Gloria Fung

Gloria Fung Photo

Health & Fitness Editor