CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- With the aim of furthering cooperation and cultural exchange between China and the United States in the realm of youth basketball, the MEBO-NBA Sacramento Kings International Youth Cultural Exchange Event commenced at YUE Sports in Chongqing on July 7.

At the 2024 Chongqing International Friendship Cities Cooperation Conference held in May, NBA's Sacramento Kings and MEBO Group signed an agreement to launch this youth basketball project in Chongqing. Alongside this project, a total of 13 cooperation agreements were sealed at the conference. These encompassed establishing formal sister city ties with two cities, forging friendly exchange city relations with three cities, and signing three annual plans for amicable collaboration. In terms of broadening the purview of friendship city cooperation, an additional 14 cooperation agreements were also executed, spanning diverse domains such as economy, trade, industry, science and education, culture, humanity, and tourism.

One of the highlights of the 2024 Chongqing International Sister Cities Cooperation Conference was the signing of a quadripartite agreement by Chongqing, Sacramento, the NBA Kings, and the MEBO Group. In accordance with this agreement, from 2024 to 2026, the four parties will collaborate to advance the robust growth of youth basketball initiatives. Additionally, they will chart a promising course for the exchange of young basketball players from Chongqing to the United States, establishing a firm foundation for nurturing basketball talents with a global outlook.

Yang Zhibin, the President of MEBO Group; John Rinehart, the President of Operations of the Sacramento Kings; Vlade Divac, a legendary NBA Kings player; the person in charge of the YUE Sports; and other guests gathered together at the opening ceremony of the MEBO-NBA Sacramento Kings International Youth Cultural Exchange Event to witness the launch of this basketball cultural exchange activity.

Li Mingzhe, a 14-year-old junior high school student from Chongqing BI Academy, who stands 2.1 meters tall, started learning basketball at the age of 12 and is now the captain of the school team. Li dreams of becoming a CBA star and representing China in international competitions. "I found that the training methods of foreign coaches are very different from those in China. They focus more on defense than offense," Li said after attending a half-day training session. He is excited about the upcoming five days of "immersive" player experience. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)