The iconic football pitch of China's grassroots sensation "Village Super League" (Cun Chao) has made a miraculous comeback in less than one month after being devastated by two severe floods, with its newly laid 8,000-square-meter artificial turf ready to welcome players back this weekend.
The field in Rongjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, which had been buried under one meter of sludge after back-to-back floods in June, now gleams with fresh turf donated by a Jiangsu-based manufacturer.
"Just over 20 days have passed since we stood amidst the flood's devastation, a journey that took our spirits from the lowest depths to gradually renewed confidence and hope. Today, I can truly say: Our Village Super League has returned," said Tang Long, director of Sports Training Center, Rongjiang County Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau.
Zhang Yan, head of the donor company, mobilized her team immediately after seeing flood damage reports.
"As part of the football industry chain, we're deeply invested in the success of 'Village Super League.' Seeing the damaged pitch was heartbreaking. We immediately mobilized research, development and production teams, applying our most wear-resistant technologies specifically tailored for this high-frequency usage venue," Zhang said.
The custom turf was produced within 72 hours and trucked 1,600 kilometers to Rongjiang, where locals like Yang Yubi, who previously cooked meals for flood rescuers, rushed to unload the shipment.
"When we learned about the turf donation, our community kept close watch. The trucks came as early as 07:00 on delivery day. So, we also volunteered at the pitch to help unload, offering our modest contribution," Yang said.
During reconstruction, residents sustained workers with homemade cooling soups and fruits under scorching summer heat. The collective effort involved over 30,000 participants from eight Guizhou cities, embodying what Rongjiang County Party Committee Secretary Xu Bo called "indomitable unity against nature's fury."
"This disaster revealed our community's unbreakable unity and optimism. Now we're preparing to welcome football fans and travelers nationwide in August, inviting them to experience our unique integration of sports, culture and tourism," Xu said.
Iconic pitch of popular "village football league" ready after post-flood repairs
