Pearl ball, once an ethnic sport in northeast China, now draws massive attention at the ongoing 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities in Sanya City, south China's Hainan Province.
This year, 36 men's and women's teams with over 500 participants registered for the pearl ball game. Tournament has been running since Saturday and will conclude on Friday. Originating from the pearl-diving practices of the Manchu people in northeast China, pearl ball simulates the act of throwing clams into a basket. Over time, this activity has evolved into a sport and was formally included in the Games in 1991.
In 2008, the pearl ball sport was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage item.
Described as "mini-basketball with a moving hoop," pearl ball features unique rules. Players aim to score by throwing the ball into a handheld net carried by a teammate. Each match lasts 30 minutes, with two teams of seven competing.
The sport combines physical demands and entertainment value, offering participants an excellent workout while minimizing the risk of injury due to its soft, lightweight ball. It has grown in popularity, with schools and universities across China integrating it into their physical education programs. While pearl ball originated from northeast China, recent years have seen southern teams dominate the competition at the Games, highlighting how ethnic sports foster unity across regions and cultures.
The Games, which are staged in Sanya from Nov 22 to 30, feature 18 competition events and 170 performance events, encompassing traditional items such as ethnic martial arts and dragon boat racing, as well as lesser-known sports like bamboo drifting.
Held every four years, the Games are a national traditional sports gathering of the highest level in China.
Pearl ball competition shines at national ethnic minorities games
