Information from Lhasa Education and Sports Bureau says that Lhasa’s first ethnic regional basketball tournament will start on November 1st with nearly 10 ethnic school teams taking part. This is the first basketball tournament among autonomous prefectures held in recent years and it aims to strengthen ties between the different regions.

According to Li Hongmei, Director of Lhasa City Sports Center, the following ethnic regions have confirmed they’re sending a highly skilled team: Urumqi, Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Deqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Haixi Mongolian-Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture and others. The tournament is expected to last for one week.

Due to the high altitudes and thin air of the snow-covered plateau, and to make sure the tournament runs smoothly, the tournament organizing committee has arranged experienced medical staff to be present on site to monitor the players’ physical condition throughout and provide timely medical assistance.

The person in charge of Lhasa Education and Sports Bureau said that this is the first tournament of its kind to be held in Tibet. It aims to try and create a sports brand with ethnic characteristics of the plateau; to promote sports and culture exchange between Lhasa and other ethnic minority regions in the country; to strengthen ethnic exchange and communication between cities and prefectures; and to promote ethnic spirit. 

A sports industry forum will also take place during the tournament, including discussion on topics such as regional development of sports, according to reports.