A "Nike Grind" basketball court has been constructed in Gucheng Primary School in Dali, Yunnan province. [Photo provided to China Daily]
More importantly, the camp allowed Xiang to address a lingering emotional struggle.
Since childhood, she had battled with self-doubt stemming from her darker skin. During the camp, she connected with a volunteer nicknamed Xiaoxue, who shared her struggles with self-confidence due to weight issues. Through heartfelt conversations, the two found mutual healing and comfort in each other's stories.
Another transformation also took place during the camp, when the school's bumpy cement basketball court was replaced with a brand-new, vividly-colored one.
The work of fashion designer Susan Fang, the new court was built by Nike using rubber soles recycled from old sneakers, a sustainable technology the company calls "Nike Grind".
"During our research, we discovered that the school had a thriving sports culture but that its old playground was uneven and full of potholes, posing potential safety hazards," Xu says, explaining why Nike chose Gucheng Primary School for the new court.
"And the school has 477 students, so renovating the basketball court would greatly benefit a considerable number of children."
Xu adds that the company plans to build 100 Nike Grind courts around China by 2030, particularly in schools located in remote areas.
