Pan Cuicui, a young woman from Rongjiang District, in Guizhou Province, southwest China, made her first trip to Brazil. Excited and nervous, she described the country as a paradise for football lovers. The Guizhou Village Super League, known as “Cun Chao”, was launched in Rongjiang in 2023 and quickly became a phenomenon in China and internationally, putting the small district of 385,000 people in the spotlight on the global stage.
Recently, Pan and five other representatives from Rongjiang participated in an exchange in Brazil, immersing themselves in the football country. On November 16, the group was invited to watch a match in the Brazilian Women’s Football Championship Series A1 and acted as ball boys at a Flamengo game. “I was very excited to meet the Brazilian players. They are tall and always smiling, conveying confidence and pride”, commented Pan. “I really want to invite them to visit Guizhou and play with us”, she added.
Another member of the team, Xu Xiangyang, just 10 years old, has already represented Rongjiang in several cities, such as Shenzhen, and also competed in France, where he had the opportunity to play with Kaká, a former Brazilian national team player. “Brazilian children are very friendly. We all love football and understand each other well, even though we speak different languages”, highlighted Xu.
Yang Xianze, a teacher who accompanied the Chinese delegation, believes that this experience can inspire children to dream big and pursue their goals. In addition to promoting international travel, the Village Super League also welcomes visitors to Rongjiang. In May 2024, Kaká participated in an event in the district, watching a match with local students. Despite being a working day, the stadium was full, with the public warmly applauding the player.
“I realized how important the love for sport is. It was amazing to see how these kids love playing. Being an ambassador and inspiring young people to pursue their dreams is an unforgettable experience,” Kaká told Xinhua news agency.
Xu Bo, head of the Rongjiang government, highlighted the positive impact of these exchanges on the district’s social and economic development. “The Village Super League is a gateway that connects Rongjiang to the world, promoting cultural exchanges, greater mutual understanding and the building of a community with a shared future,” he concluded.
Source: https://www.chinahoje.net/criancas-da-superliga-da-aldeia-vivenciam-intercambio-inesquecivel-no-brasil/
