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Dali, Yunnan: Vibrant soccer fields amidst the mountains

云南大理：大山里的快乐球场

Blogger and director Xiao Ce once Bilibili Soccer Primary School, thanks
visited the Binju Overseas Chinese Farm to their soccer talents, have gained
Primary School in Binchuan County, admission to key secondary schools in
Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. In the provincial capital—a possibility
the video he captured, the dilapidated, that was nearly nonexistent before.
uneven dirt playground lacked any green “In recent years, our teachers and
grass, revealing large patches of bare soil coaches have achieved significant suc-
every half meter. As the camera panned, cess with the children in league and pro-
a group of boys and girls appeared be- fessional campus soccer competitions,
hind the yellow iron school gate, dressed winning titles such as county champions,
in yellow, blue, and pink sports jerseys. prefecture champions, and provincial
They ran energetically on the play- champions,” explained He. To promote
ground, sweat glistening on their brows his students’ talents and raise awareness
as they enjoyed their time. of their soccer achievements, He traveled
Having played soccer under the sun to various locations, including a key high
day after day, month after month, the school in Chongqing.
children’s faces were deeply tanned, Despite his busy schedule, He rarely
and the white soccer ball they held had declines media interviews. “I hope to
turned a coal-gray color. Yet every one of raise awareness of this primary school
them wore a bright smile. For this group through media promotion. I want more
of rural children, the playground, though people to recognize the many outstand-
somewhat worn, remained an indispen- ing students here, and I hope this will
sable dreamland. provide the children with better oppor-
At the beginning of 2023, the tunities to be selected by higher learning
Chinese cultural community and the institutions.”
video platform Bilibili invested in the Every evening at 6 PM, the campus
construction of two five-a-side soccer comes alive with parents bringing their
fields at this primary school. The chil- children to play soccer. Some sit on their
dren finally gained a space where they motorbike seats, chatting about family
could run freely and kick the ball to matters, while others lean against the
their hearts’ content. concrete pillars by the playground, cap-
Since He Guocheng took over as turing their children’s every move on the
principal, he and his nine teachers have field with their phones. The excitement
transformed the primary school, which of the chase and competition, combined
was once ranked fifth in the town, into with the laughter and joy from the side-
the top primary school. As a result, an lines, creates an incredibly lively atmos-
increasing number of children from phere at this rural primary school.