In the lush hills of southwest China’s Guizhou Province, a football revolution is unfolding – and it’s being led by farmers, shopkeepers, and village elders. The Village Super League (VSL), locally known as \"Cun Chao,\" has transformed Rongjiang County into a hub of grassroots sportsmanship, drawing over 10,000 spectators per match to cheer on teams composed entirely of local residents.
More than just a tournament, the VSL embodies China’s rural revitalization strategy through its fusion of tradition and modernity. Players clad in team jerseys sprint across fields flanked by terraced rice paddies, while spectators in intricate Miao and Dong ethnic costumes perform traditional dances during halftime. \"This isn’t just sport – it’s our way of celebrating community and progress,\" shared one resident attending a recent match.
Local authorities report the league has boosted tourism and small businesses by 40% since its 2021 launch, creating a blueprint for rural development that prioritizes cultural preservation alongside economic growth. As teams like \"Big Crescent Village FC\" compete under stadium lights powered by new solar grids, the VSL offers a vivid snapshot of Chinese modernization – where ancient customs and 21st-century ambitions coexist seamlessly.
Reference(s):
Mapping Chinese modernization via Guizhou Village Super League fever
cgtn.com
