FUSC sees return of spectators at university basketball qualifiers

Photo courtesy of FUSCFollowing the successful conclusion of the China University Basketball Association (CUBA) division I sub-regional qualifiers in China’s Northeast and Southwest regions is the third leg of qualifier in the Chinese Northwest region from 11-19 April. The event, organised by Federation of University Sports of China (FUSC), will see around 400 athletes from 22 universities at Shanxi University of Finance and Economics competing for the six available spots—also booking them a ticket to the national finals in each category.

According to competition regulations, a total of 32 men’s teams and 24 women’s teams will take part in the national finals. Later this month, the last leg of qualifiers in the Southeast region will take place at Shanghai University of Engineering Science, finishing the second phase of 2020-2021 CUBA division I season.

All of this comes with the steadily improving COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control situation in China, as normal economic and social life is gradually being restored— also providing a favourable result for the resumption of sports events with return of spectators. The provincial opening match on 26 November 2020 at Huazhong University of Science and Technology allowed a maximum stadium capacity of 50%, which was later increased to 70% capacity during the 2021 CUBA all-star games held since 23 March in Chongqing, China.

According to FUSC and CUBA, the region’s game infection-control protocol has been standardised, which involves testing of players, media, league staff and spectators in advance, along with daily periodical disinfection each day accompanied by isolation areas to ensure the health and safety for all involved.

“As the organisers of CUBA are putting the health and safety all the participants as paramount, FUSC will coordinate all the resources possible to resume university sports games step by step—inspiring more collegians to fall in love with sports, participate more and achieve well-being in both mind and in body,” explained Yanqing Xue, Vice President of FUSC.

As FUSC’s top league, CUBA is classified into three divisions for both men’s and women’s categories, namely division I for high-level student athletes from universities or colleges offering degree programmes. Division II is for other students from universities or colleges offering degree programmes, while division III is for students of higher vocational colleges. The whole season includes three phases: provincial (municipal) games, sub-regional qualifiers and national finals.

Besides the ongoing division I games, CUBA division III has just kicked off on 8 April, while division II will take place on 17 April. The grand finale in the form of national finals are scheduled to be held in June 2021.