Basketball back in China after shutdown
The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league resumed yesterday behind closed doors after a five-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, just as the country battles a cluster of infections in Beijing.
There was a sombre moment of silence beforehand in the arena in Qingdao as the CBA became the first sports league to restart in China, where the deadly virus emerged late last year before spreading worldwide.
The league has been split into two groups as part of measures to ensure player safety – one group playing games in Qingdao in the northeast and the other in the southern city of Dongguan.
All games will be played without fans, in line with sports around the world trying to relaunch even as the virus continues to infect and kill thousands.
In front of the watching Yao Ming, the first match of the restart saw Zhejiang Guangsha Lions defeat Nanjing Monkey Kings, 112-95.
- Latest
- Trending
