The China Basketball Association (CBA) has restarted after an almost five-month shutdown for the coronavirus epidemic, with the joint efforts of the basketball league, the association and relevant authorities. The return raises hopes of a national sports revival.
To ensure the smooth running of the matches and protect people's health, the CBA has adopted comprehensive measures. For instance, the 20 teams have been divided into two groups; one group will play their matches in Qingdao, Shandong Province in the east, while the other will play in the southern city of Dongguan, Guangdong Province. The players and staff will be examined for virus symptoms three times at least two weeks before the matches and there will be no audience in the stadiums.
"As the first major national sports league to restart in China, the CBA has a far-reaching significance for promoting work resumption and restoring our everyday life. Its social impact has gone beyond the game itself," Yao Ming, CBA President, said in a statement ahead of the first match.
With China entering a phase of epidemic control, the CBA resumption will provide an experience for other countries' national sports events and reinstate confidence in uncertain times.
(Printed Edition Title: A Hopeful Return)
This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Guangming Daily on June 30
