Division I Women’s Basketball kicks off CUBA’s resumption

Around 300 female student athletes from 22 teams representing 16 provinces assembled in Inner Mongolia Normal University for the Division I National Finals in the women’s category, marking the resumption of the Chinese University Basketball Association (CUBA) after a 143-day hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the past two decades, CUBA has grown to be one of FUSC’s top-flight leagues. It is classified into three Divisions, namely Division I, Division II and Division III, for both men and women’s categories. The whole season includes 3 phases, provincial (municipal) matches, sub-regional qualifiers and national finals. Annually, about 1,600 teams from 32 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions participate in CUBA. The competition system in 2020 has naturally been adapted to reduce the risks brought about by the pandemic.

Ms. Zhang Hong, FISU CMI Member involved in the CUBA Medical Expert Working GroupIn order to ensure the smooth operation of all games, top medical experts, including some who had joined the anti-pandemic battle in Wuhan earlier this year, were involved in establishing a rigorous medical protocol; including repeated disinfection measures at all venues, testing, strict quarantine, access control etc.

Players in all participating teams were required to take nucleic acid tests two times before their opening games.

All teams had to stay in a designated hotel and could only travel between the hotel, the sterilized competition arena and training facilities isolated from the public, according to the protocol.

Throughout the competition, all the people involved had to take their temperature twice a day. All the games were not open for spectators. In order to create a live and interactive atmosphere, online video links with fans were set up and audio recordings simulating crowd reactions were played at the competition venues.

FUSC President Mr. Xue YanqingDespite the tough and rigorous measures, all student basketball players were thrilled to come back to court.

“It is very exciting and encouraging for players to step on the competition court again after months of waiting. All of them have been training very hard and couldn’t wait to make a comeback,” agreed the head coaches.

“The resumption of the games, at this difficult moment of health crisis, inspires students in China and Asia, but also reinforces their confidence to conquer the pandemic,” added President of Asian University Sports Federation, and Vice president of FUSC Yanqing Xue.

It is expected more games will be staged in the second half of the year following the example of CUBA.

Division I men’s finals will be held later in August in Xiamen, China.