A player goes to score at a basketball game in Huzhen town. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_2dd9138e31e1]

The 14th basketball league of Huzhen town, in Jinyun county – located in Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province – kicked off with style and pizzazz on Aug 15.

Adding to the fun were the sweet notes produced by a Chinese-Western music ensemble playing the classical erhu song Horse Racing. They featured a piano performer from Russia and a master of the Chinese erhu – the two-stringed bowed instrument.

The event attracted visiting cultural exchange students from Zimbabwe, the United States, Canada and other countries and regions, who cheered on the players fighting it out on court. Watching the enent is part of the "From Global to Village: China-Zimbabwe Jinyun Cross-Cultural Dialogue" program.

Spectators cheer on the players. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_2dd9138e31e1]

The players, who were mostly villagers, showed their skills and teamwork in sometimes fierce competition, which amazed the foreign guests, who praised their determination and vigor.

The basketball league in Huzhen town has been held 13 times and is a highlight of Huzhen's sports activities. Last year, the town hosted the first rural youth basketball championship in Zhejiang province.