Charms of 'light volleyball' bounce into the spotlight

What gas volleyball lacks in intensity it certainly makes up for in fun. The game is gaining traction in China, with a national tournament attracting former Olympians and overseas enthusiasts to its latest edition.

Developed in the 1980s as a leisurely alternative to competitive volleyball, the gas version of the sport, also known as balloon volleyball or light volleyball, has proved to have enduring appeal in China, as evidenced by the success of the 2023 Samaranch Cup Gas Volleyball Invitational.

The third edition of the event was staged in Xichang, Southwest China's Sichuan province, for a second time, with the tournament attracting nearly 150 teams from 26 Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, as well as one from Australia, to compete in the best-of-three format across three age groups from Dec 20-26.

The tournament was launched in 2021 by the Samaranch Foundation, a national nonpublic entity registered in Beijing in 2012 in memory of late former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch.

With 500 games played over six days, the tournament brought out the competitive instincts of the senior players — many of them former pro athletes — and helped them tap into memories and emotions from decades ago.

"It's been almost 40 years, but today we still got to play and enjoy the game thanks to the opportunity presented to us by this gas volleyball tournament," said Xiao Qingsong, a former member of China's national men's volleyball team.

Xiao fondly recalled his Olympic debut for Team China at the 1984 Los Angeles Games during the Xichang tournament.

The fact that the tournament was coorganized by the Samaranch Foundation made the trip to Xichang even more special for Xiao as he revealed that it was the late IOC president who signed his athlete certificate at the 1984 Games.

"I accepted the invitation to be here largely because of my emotional attachment to the late president and it proved a worthwhile trip," said Xiao.

"Gas volleyball is actually very like the regular version. You also need to be an all-arounder to play gas volleyball well," added the 60-year-old Fujian native, who led his team, Wuhan Happiness, to the men's senior group championship in Xichang.

Playing with bigger and lighter balls made of soft materials, instead of the heavier leather balls, gas volleyball is contested on a smaller court and uses a lower net than the regular version, making it accessible and easy to play for all ages, both indoor and outdoor.

As China pushes forward with its goal of developing a world-class sporting nation by 2035, gas volleyball has emerged as an ideal exercise choice for the demographic of an aging society.

"Gas volleyball has contributed significantly to the promotion of the mass fitness campaign in recent years. It is easy for beginners to try, even those who have never played any volleyball," said Yu Zaiqing, founding president of the Samaranch Foundation, at the tournament's closing ceremony.

"The tournament reminded everyone of their looks when they were young and helped everyone stay young and active. It was such a great success that we will return next year for a third straight edition in Xichang," said Yu, who is also an IOC member.

For the first time since its establishment, the tournament drew participants from abroad. Sydney-based club Five Star, comprised of overseas Chinese living in Australia, traveled over 8,600 kilometers to take part.

Returning to their home country to enjoy their shared interest in gas volleyball made the Christmas holiday an unforgettable experience, said Fiona Song Fang, the club's co-chairperson and team manager.

"We had quite a special Christmas and we are so excited to make new friends by playing the sport we all love," she said. "We will try to come back next year with our partner club in New Zealand to play again."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn