Expanded to 60 participating teams from across China, the second Nanshan Challenge Cup basketball tournament opened on Oct. 16 in Guangzhou, bringing together national laboratories and elite universities for a competition centered on athletic resilience and scientific collaboration, news.southcn.com reported.
Tournament Expansion and Dual Divisions in Guangzhou
The tournament has grown from 25 to 60 teams while expanding its footprint from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to a nationwide scale. Organizers split the competition into two distinct brackets: a National Division and a Bay Area Division. Meanwhile, the Bay Area Division showcases regional research institutions like the South China National Botanical Garden and the Guangdong Academy of Sciences.
Zhong Nanshan Highlights the Intersection of Sports and Science
At the opening ceremony, Republic Medal recipient and Chinese Academy of Engineering academician Zhong Nanshan addressed the gathered athletes and officials, linking his decades in academic research directly to his lifelong athletic habits. "Sports influence a person for life; it doesn't just build physical health, it tempers the will," Zhong said, as reported by news.southcn.com. He urged the competing researchers to channel the collaborative spirit, passing skills, and defensive resolve of basketball into their professional work.
Historical Ties to National Basketball
The tournament’s title and ethos draw from a personal history deeply rooted in Chinese basketball. Zhong’s wife, former national women’s basketball team player Li Shaofen, attended the opening ceremony to witness the competition. The couple’s relationship began through the sport decades ago when Zhong frequented her training base. In 1963, a playful wager promised marriage if the national women’s team captured the championship at the Emerging Forces Games; following the team’s victory, the couple married after an eight-year courtship.
Match Schedule and Elimination Format
Competition across the two divisions runs on separate tracks through the autumn schedule. The National Division matches take place from Oct. 15 to Oct. 19, while the Bay Area Division stretches from Oct. 17 through mid-November. Both divisions utilize a group stage followed by a knockout format, with games hosted in Guangzhou.
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