Girl power courts success

Around 160,000 students from 700 primary schools across the country have benefited from the project since it was started by sportswear giant Nike, on March 8, 2019.

"Initially, we provided schools with customized resources for girls' sports, including sports kits, curriculum development, teacher training and financial support. All of these elements were aimed at helping girls unleash their potential through physical activity," says Xu Lin, head of Social and Community Impact at Nike's Greater China operations.

Last year, the project began a recruitment drive for university volunteers, followed by training sessions to prepare them for their roles. "The volunteers show the girls involved in the summer camps a broader spectrum of life's possibilities," Xu adds.

She believes that they could be more accessible role models for the teenagers.

Xiang Jiaming, 12, is a grade five student at Gucheng Primary School. A few years ago, she wasn't fit, and frequently suffered from gastritis, which necessitated frequent hospital visits that disrupted her studies.

Then two years ago, she began an after-school routine of playing basketball with her peers on her village's cement basketball court. Over time, her fondness for the sport grew, and she later became a point guard on the school's basketball team.

"I used to be frail and got sick often, but these days, I'm feeling fit," she says.

During the summer camp, the volunteers often played basketball with Xiang and her schoolmates.

"We've been taught how to dribble with both hands, and to relish teamwork. We had a great time together," says Xiang.