He Ting (first from left) at the game venue. [Photo by Li Yue for Zhejiang Daily]

By day they run businesses, by night they chase rebounds. In Ningbo, Zhejiang province, a growing number of entrepreneurs are taking the court in Zhejiang's biggest grassroots basketball league.

On July 16, the Ningbo division of the Zhejiang Provincial City Basketball League — known as "ZheBA" — tipped off at the Fenghua Sports Center. Launched to promote national fitness and community sports, the league has quickly become a platform where passion meets pride.

During the opening game, He Ting drilled a three-pointer under heavy defense, drawing thunderous cheers from the crowd. Off the court, He is the general manager of Ningbo Permanent Magnetics Co Ltd, and just days earlier, had been in Europe for business.

"I pushed back a few client meetings," he said with a grin. "You don't get many chances to fight for your hometown."

He has been investing in the local basketball scene for years. In 2015, he launched the "Dahu Cup", drawing former CBA players. In 2024, his team, Ningbo Dahu, won the 2024 China Basketball Open. Now serving as chairman of the Jiangbei Basketball Association, he says nothing compares to wearing his home district's jersey.

Some 40 of his colleagues cheered from the stands. One employee said basketball is a regular part of company life, with staff often playing after work.

In Yinzhou district, the same passion runs deep. Team captain He Qinlei, a biotech company partner by day and point guard by night, leads a squad selected from over 200 applicants. Balancing boardrooms and basketball practice has become part of his daily life.