Guizhou Guma basketball team plays at Utah high school

Guizhou’s traditional Guma Basketball team played an exhibition game against the Crimson Cliff High School girls’ varsity team in Washington, Utah, bringing a rural Chinese sporting tradition to an American high school gymnasium in late September and early October 2026.

Crimson Cliff High School Hosts Guma Basketball Exhibition

The matchup at Crimson Cliff High School in Washington, Utah, drew over one hundred student spectators as part of the team’s broader multi-state tour across California, Nevada, Utah, and Washington state. The tour included stops at local schools and community centers for sports and cultural exchanges, according to international reporting. Following the final whistle, spectators joined the players on the court to dance the traditional Lusheng dance.

Originating in the Miao ethnic minority villages of Leishan County in Guizhou province, Guma Basketball stems from a local tradition where married women returning to their hometowns participate in recreational sports. The activity has since evolved into a prominent community showcase for rural vitality in Guizhou.

Unique Rules Blend Running With Traditional Play

Unlike standard basketball regulations, Guma Basketball allows players to run while holding the ball, creating a distinct style of play that drew positive reviews from local student-athletes. Crimson Cliff High School girls’ basketball player Tigen Kanzi noted that she enjoyed the alternate ruleset, describing the experience as uniquely entertaining and enjoyable.

“We hope to consolidate China-U.S. people-to-people friendship through such matches, and let the friendship across the Pacific Ocean last forever,” said Yu Ping, a member of the Guma Basketball team.

Yu noted that the current U.S. tour fulfills a promise made two years prior, when American visitors traveled to Guizhou to observe the province’s grassroots Village BA tournament.

Bilateral Cultural Exchanges Focus on Youth Programs

Shen Xin, vice president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and head of the Guma Basketball delegation, stated that sports provide an accessible medium for people in both countries to narrow distances, form friendships, and observe different ethnic cultures and daily life up close. Shen added that such reciprocal visits reinforce the grassroots foundation of bilateral relations.

Crimson Cliff High School Principal Kim Moncrise expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that many students at the school study Mandarin and Chinese culture from a young age, calling the program an ideal opportunity for immersive learning.

Student Parker Bernap, who has studied Mandarin since the first grade, highlighted the appeal of Chinese technology, cuisine, and cultural heritage, noting that youth exchange programs help bridge cultural understanding between the two nations.

Upcoming Delegation Events and Cultural Itineraries

The Guma Basketball delegation’s schedule across California, Nevada, Utah, and Washington state continues through early October, featuring joint athletic practices, school assemblies, and community cultural demonstrations. Further details regarding subsequent delegation stops and bilateral youth exchange schedules will be released by participating educational and diplomatic organizers.