Yao Ming delivers a speech at the closing ceremony.

Pingtan, the mainland's closest spot to the island of Taiwan, a hub for cross-straits integration, and China's second international tourism island,recently hosted a thrilling sports showdown. The group stage of the 2024-2025 14th Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Season wrapped up on August 6, with group champions crowned after the final matches.

Award presentation for the group champions

In Group A's climactic game, Fujian's Pingtan Ao'dong Central Primary School dominated Hubei's Danjiangkou Xijiadian Primary. Ao'dong's Team A exploded out of the gate, shooting sharp and passing seamlessly to build a 24:4 lead. Their Team B kept the momentum going in the second half, sealing a perfect 4-0 record and the group title.

"We learned never to quit," said Ao'dong player Wei Junrong. "We trusted ourselves and knew our hard work would pay off."

Group B was a nail-biter. Hubei's Huangmei No.7 Primary (Dushan Campus) and Guangxi's Tiandeng Longming Town Central traded blows, with the score seesawing until Huangmei clinched it 32:22.

"My teammates are amazing. We grew together, supported each other, and gained so much," said Huangmei's Zhan Mingsheng. "The other team fought hard too. This was such a great experience."