“March Madness” is term recognized by most people in the United States of America. The term refers to a several-week long, end-of-year basketball tournament that determines the NCAA National Champion of college basketball. The tournament attracts dozens of millions of viewers, with the championship game receiving a viewing total that has surpassed 30 million. That is nearly a tenth of the entire nation tuning in to watch college students play a game of basketball. This is, of course, not even professional basketball! This goes to show how popular basketball is in the United States. I, personally, am a huge fan of basketball. I played throughout my childhood and schooling years and continue to play frequently. As we discuss China in Core 8,
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Today, there are an estimated number of 300 million people from China that play basketball. This is nearly the same number that represents the entire population of the United States of America! It is thought that the game of basketball was taught to Chinese citizens by YMCA missionaries just a few years following its invention in 1891 (Blineburry). Basketball was given a more concrete place in the People’s Republic of China when the first Prime Minister, Chou En Lai, endorsed basketball because of its contribution and symbolism of teamwork and fitness. College students and soldiers were the first of the Chinese to embrace basketball in China. Soldiers would play basketball to occupy their time and lift their spirits. In addition, because the game is so old, when it was first introduced ping-pong was the only other sport people had the option of playing. The sport was also endorsed by the military in its camps because of its ability to build friendships and teamwork. In fact, in certain situations the best players would be treated differently, receiving higher military ranks and having access to perks like special dining and expensive clothing
Today, there are an estimated number of 300 million people from China that play basketball. This is nearly the same number that represents the entire population of the United States of America! It is thought that the game of basketball was taught to Chinese citizens by YMCA missionaries just a few years following its invention in 1891 (Blineburry). Basketball was given a more concrete place in the People’s Republic of China when the first Prime Minister, Chou En Lai, endorsed basketball because of its contribution and symbolism of teamwork and fitness. College students and soldiers were the first of the Chinese to embrace basketball in China. Soldiers would play basketball to occupy their time and lift their spirits. In addition, because the game is so old, when it was first introduced ping-pong was the only other sport people had the option of playing. The sport was also endorsed by the military in its camps because of its ability to build friendships and teamwork. In fact, in certain situations the best players would be treated differently, receiving higher military ranks and having access to perks like special dining and expensive clothing