Zhongshan Shaxi Town's basketball team departed for the southern division of this year's national rural basketball tournament, or 'Village BA', on August 18. The town government hosted a brief yet motivational send-off ceremony to rally the team.

The southern division matches will kick off on August 20 in Hunan province's Huaihua city, featuring 18 top basketball teams from 10 southern provinces competing through August 27.

While the southern division takes center stage, equally thrilling matchups await in the northern and central divisions. Following regional competitions, the national finals will take place in October at Guizhou province's Taijiang county.