On December 16, 2024, CBA witnessed a pivotal match - Shanxi hosting the defending champion Liaoning at home. Two young athletes signed by War Horse, Zhang Ning and Wang Lanqin, were set to competed fiercely as the backbone of their respective teams. Therefore, the Shanxi Sports Center, known as the "formidable home court," was packed with spectators. A group of young fans dressed in red stood out in particular. As they were all players from "Village BA" in Guizhou's mountain area, who were invited by War Horse to travel over 2,000 kilometers to watch the CBA game in the "City of Loong" for the first time. 

From Village BA to CBA

War Horse, as the official sponsor of the CBA League, has always been committed to promoting basketball among young people. This time, War Horse invited young players from the Village BA in Guizhou to form the "War Horse Energy Spectator Group" and come to Taiyuan to watch the CBA game, cheer for their idols and also experience the cultural charm of a different city.

Upon arriving in Taiyuan, the players from Guizhou Village BA visited the renowned Jinci Temple and Taiyuan Ancient County, fully immersing themselves in the historical charm and cultural landscape of the city with thousand years of history. This was also the first time for many of the players to fly out of Guizhou, the excitement and anticipation were evident on every face. They took photos and recorded their experience and desire for the colorful world regardless the cold weather.  As the game day approached, the emotions of this trip were about to reach a climax. 

Dreams come true

For these players from the mountains, it is their dream to watch a CBA game live. The fierce atmosphere of Shanxi's Home Court excited the young players greatly. 

Although at first, the players were somewhat reserved due to being in a new environment,  as the game progressed and became more intense, they were fully infected by the atmosphere on the court and gave their all to cheer on the home team. Every time a spectacular move was made, they could be seen imitating each other in their seats. When there were some controversial calls, they would engage in heated discussions. Their love for basketball made these young people fully enjoy themselves. In the end, with home advantage and Zhang Ning's outstanding performance, Shanxi won the game.

A journey for keeping a promise

This "War Horse Game Viewing Program" can be traced back to Guangdong several months ago. Just before the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2024, the first "War Horse Rural Public Welfare Basketball Court" was successfully completed in Dingwu Village, Dongguan, the "City of Basketball."

Zhang Ning, who is currently playing for Shanxi in CBA, is a sponsored athlete by War Horse. He also serves as the captain of China's 3x3 men's basketball team. After the Paris Olympics, he attended the inauguration ceremony of the new court and engaged in a series of exchanges and interactions with young players from Dongguan and Guizhou Village BA Teams. Such experience undoubtedly planted the seeds of dreams in every young basketball player’s heart. Therefore, Zhang Ning invited them to watch the home game of Shanxi and feel the charm of professional basketball. 

CBA players teaching on-site

After watching the game, the young players apparently wanted more. Just next to the stadium, War Horse had already prepared a Basketball Challenge event for them. Wang Lanqin came to the scene to take photos with the young players and sign autographs for them. Then Zhang Ning participated in the event as a coach, guiding the young players in a series of "unconventional" moves and cooperation, which made the event full of laughters. 

After the challenge competition, Zhang Ning offered a special surprise to the two young players secured the top positions - his signed sneakers. In the subsequent interview, the young players expressed their gratitude, saying, "We are very grateful to Zhang Ning for giving us this opportunity. We never thought we could really interact with a CBA player on the basketball court, let alone receive a  pair of signed shoes from him."

When it comes to the significance of this event, Zhang Ning said, "First of all, this fulfilled the promise of War Horse. In Dongguan, we made an appointment with these young people to invite them to watch a CBA game at my home court this season. Today, War Horse brought them here to fulfill our promise." When talking about his message to the players from the village BA, Zhang Ning said, "I hope that when they return to their hometown, they still keep their dream of playing basketball and study hard. In the future, I hope to see them on the CBA court one day."

The energy supply lights up the passion and love

War Horse, a more popular energy vitamin beverage brand among young people, has always been committed to promoting the development of domestic basketball, from CBA to Village BA. War Horse's vigorous support has covered both professional and grassroots basketball, making more and more basketball dreams come true. 

The "War Horse Game Viewing Program" has come to a successful conclusion. Young players from the Village BA have broadened their horizons, experienced the authentic atmosphere of CBA game and interacted with their basketball idols up close. We believe that this journey will further ignite their love for basketball and they will share their stories with their fellow villagers back home.