Ancient Chinese Sport Captivates Athletes and Revives Cultural Heritage at Chengdu World Games

A Chinese stick-and-ball sport, dating back 1,300 years, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence. It is captivating international athletes at the ongoing 2025 World Games in Chengdu, Sichuan province, due to its unique cultural significance.

The game, known as buda ball, originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It shares similarities with modern floorball, one of the official sports at the Chengdu games. Demonstrations of buda ball were showcased before the women's floorball competition's opening match, featuring performers in Tang-style attire.

At TWG Plaza, a center for cultural and sports exhibitions in Chengdu, buda ball equipment, costumes, and accessories are on display, allowing visitors to experience the sport firsthand. Tobias Koller, a Swiss tug-of-war athlete, enjoyed playing buda ball with his teammates, noting the unique feel of the ball and stick.

Sun Yuxin, a student and volunteer at the games village, described the rules of buda ball as simple and the sport as engaging. He highlighted its potential for growth, emphasizing its cultural connection. The sport incorporates intangible cultural heritage elements, such as bamboo weaving, which adds to its appeal.

Traditionally, the buda stick is made of wood or bamboo, with a rattan hoop for dribbling. Shu brocade, a Sichuan-produced national intangible cultural heritage item, is wrapped around the stick for grip.

Wang Zhenfang, an inheritor of the ancient sport, which was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage item in Chengdu last year, has witnessed the interest of foreign athletes and visitors, including the secretary-general of the International Floorball Federation. She hopes to introduce the sport to a wider audience.

Wang's efforts to revive the sport began when she discovered that her family's traditional game, known as dagan, was historically buda ball. She led a team of volunteers to research the sport's equipment, rules, and associated elements based on historical records. They also established a base to reconstruct the traditional settings for the sport.

Yang Cheng, a member of Wang's team, noted that around 50 volunteers are involved in reviving the ancient sport. The team plans to establish an international development center with other countries to promote buda ball as a globally recognized competitive sport.