Sports not Work by Aaron Sampson

Sports not Work

 

 

One of the most unique experiences I had while staying at Anhui Normal University, was the chance to play basketball with a few students. We had scheduled for multiple games, but time would only allow one 90 minute session, but during those 90 minute both parties involved had a lot of fun. Andrew and I were paired with 3 other students from the school and we played 5 on 5. We didn’t keep score because the rounds kept changing so frequently. On each team there was a student who was about 6 feet fall, yet everyone else was average height around 5”7. The teams were balanced pretty well so there was no argument over balance. What caught my attention the most, was the crowd of people watching. I don’t know if it was the norm or not, but that day when we were on the court there were multiple basketball games being played. It must have been a tournament hosted by the school for teams after classes. I wasn’t able to find out if these tournaments were weekly, monthly, or what schedule they were based on, but there was a huge crowd gathered around the entire basketball court and watched multiple games. Our game was not the only game being played. In addition, the games on other courts lasted as long if not longer than the game that Andrew and I from McDaniel College played. We played basketball for about 90 minutes before Andrew and I had to leave because we had dinner with a local government representative later the night, but I will never forget the experience.

In keeping up with the athletic scene of our trip, on multiple occasions we passed by parks on campuses or parks in tourist locations where all aged persons would be exercising in the parks. This isn’t news or a big deal, but people didn’t worry about clothing as much as we do in America. In these parks I would witness people working out on parallel bars in dress shirts and ties, long pants, cargo pants, polos, and any combination of clothing one can think of. This was a difference and surprised me at first when I witnessed it. In America when someone goes to the gym or to a park to exercise they wear athletic clothing and nothing else. In China, however, it seemed that it didn’t matter the material appearance of those participating in athletics or exercise, but it was more important merely that said individuals were able to have the time to exercise and stay in shape. I respect that and it was certainly something that stood out to me while I was in China.