Rongjiang County in southwest China's Guizhou Province hosted the second "Super Saturday" event since the relaunch of China's popular grassroots football tournament, the Village Super League - also known as Cun Chao, after being disrupted by devastating floods in late June.
"Super Saturday" blends football matches, performances and delicacies into a carnival that has gone viral, yet just over a month ago the iconic Cun Chao stadium itself was almost destroyed by the floods.
The rural football feast commands attention not only because of the passion it sparks, but because it returned after a disaster that upended life here.
"I think the people of Rongjiang and people from all over China are more united than ever. Rebuilding has really strengthened our spirit and willpower," said Lu Shijuan, a Rongjiang resident.
Rongjiang was struck by two major floods on June 24 and 28. Torrents of water inundated the county town, causing widespread damage and forcing a suspension of the tournament, which began in May 2023 and quickly captured national attention.
For Rongjiang, Village Super League is more than a sport - it is tied to the county's whole cultural-tourism economy. Its revival is expected to breathe life back into local businesses.
The disaster triggered an immediate response nationwide. More than 10,000 rescue personnel mobilized to Rongjiang, working alongside residents to restore order and begin rebuilding.
As the matches resumed, rescue teams and volunteers were honored guests at the matches.
"We arrived with 30 people and stayed for more than a week. The mud was over a meter deep. We shoveled it together. Now the pitch looks amazing. You'd never guess there was a flood. It shows how strong China's cohesion is," said Yang Zhiming, a volunteer from Kaili City.
These collective efforts enabled a swift recovery. Basic services were largely restored, major roads reopened, and over 90 percent of the approximately 6,800 affected businesses resumed operations.
The gratitude-themed reopening of the Cun Chao on July 26 marked a major milestone. That day alone, Rongjiang hosted 180,000 visitors and generated 188 million yuan (about 26 million U.S. dollars) in tourism revenue.
With the rebuilt stadium now ready, Rongjiang looks ahead to the Cun Chao finals on Aug 9 - a fitting climax for a tournament that helped energize the county's revival.
Village football craze regains new life in Guizhou
