(Yicai Global) June 26 -- The first match of China’s new basketball league for those living in the countryside, known as ‘Village BA,’ got off to great fanfare in southwestern Guizhou province last week, with 30,000 fans travelling from across China to watch the opening game.

And more than 10 million people from around the world tuned in on June 20 to see the host basketball team in Taipan village, Taijiang country take on the visitors from northwestern Gansu province, according to local government statistics.

Although ‘Village BA’ is a basketball game held by farmers in Taipan village every June, it became such an internet sensation due to its fiery and irreverent nature, that it has now been elevated to a national basketball tournament for rural folk. Teams must get through the preliminaries and regional play-offs to reach the final which will be held in October.

All seats are taken at the opening match.

Ethnic minority groups added color to the event with singing and dancing.

Children are given the chance to shoot a hoop before the game starts.

Fresh fish and glutinous rice dumplings are some of the prizes on offer.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Kim Taylor