June 20, 2023 (XINHUA)- Qumarleb County, nestled in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, is situated in the heartland of the Yellow River source. With an average altitude of 4,550 meters, the air’s oxygen content is approximately 40 percent of that found in plain areas, and the annual average temperature lingers at a chilly -3 degrees Celsius.
In this harsh natural environment, football brings joy to the children on the plateau. In November 2021, Qumarleb County established a football training camp for teens, creating a space for more children who love the sport to play at weekends, as well as during winter and summer breaks.
In recent years, Yushu Prefecture has launched a football development program, widely facilitating campus football activities and establishing and enhancing a four-tier league system of campus football. Increasing numbers of girls are participating in football, utilizing the sport as a means to continuously improve their physical fitness, make new friends, and broaden their worldviews.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service.