Pre-competition group photo of participating teams. (Source: hinews.cn)

On the evening of May 18, Spain's Gijón team narrowly beat the U.S. Ricky team 81–79 during the 2026 International Basketball Tour of China (Baisha, Hainan stop). The game concluded at the National Southern Training Base for Sports (Baisha Complex) in Baisha Li Autonomous County, Hainan.

Beyond being a sporting event, the game showcased Baisha's evolution from a "training base" to an emerging "sports event hub."

Competition in progress. (Source: hinews.cn)

Why Do International Events Choose Baisha?

Kang Minli, Director of the National Southern Training Base for Sports in Baisha, believes there are two main reasons teams from the United States and Spain chose to visit Baisha.

First, Baisha has actively engaged in international sporting events while leveraging the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) to foster the internationalization of sports. Multiple international competitions have already taken place this year, with additional events scheduled for the coming months. In July, the county is set to host a Russian boxing team, followed by international volleyball and taekwondo tournaments.

Second, Baisha benefits from Hainan's customs and immigration clearance facilitation measures and is versed in hosting events. Access from Hong Kong SAR is easy, and the place has gained valuable experience from previous interactions with teams from various countries.

Kang explains that choosing Baisha as the initial destination for the "2026 International Basketball Tour of China" was driven by both policy considerations and the overall event schedule.

Competition in progress. (Source: hinews.cn)

Clean Air, Recovery Benefits and Culinary Surprises

International teams appeared capable of adapting to Baisha's local environment, as evidenced by their on-court performance and post-match feedback, both of which were encouraging.

A player from the U.S. Ricky team remarked, "The air here feels like a daily spa treatment for the lungs. The high concentration of negative ions has significantly enhanced sleep quality and muscle recovery — almost like a natural sports supplement." Another player noted that the team's well-organized reception and transportation from arrival through training enabled them to concentrate fully on the competition.

The local cuisine also offered delightful surprises. Players from Gijón, Spain, initially worried about adapting to the food, but the taste and variety of Chinese dishes surpassed their expectations. "Every meal felt like a culinary adventure," one player remarked.

This combination of "training + lifestyle" has enabled Baisha to successfully host international events and earn recognition from the participating teams.

The National Southern Training Base for Sports in Baisha. (Source: hinews.cn)

From Training Base to Sports Event Destination

The positive reputation Baisha has garnered from these events has led to greater opportunities for industrial development. Wen Yawen, Deputy Director of the Baisha's County Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports, said the county aims for participating athletes to become not just "visitors," but long-term "fans" of Baisha.

The Spain-US match took place on May 18, coinciding with International Museum Day, prompting local organizers to arrange cultural tourism activities for the players. The athletes visited ethnic museums, tried Li brocade weaving and Li pottery-making, and explored tea tourism itineraries, including the Meteorite Crater Ecological Tea Garden and the Wulilu Organic Tea Garden.

Wen mentioned that Baisha hopes athletes will serve as "international ambassadors" for the county's tourism and cultural sites, showcasing both its ecological beauty and ethnic culture characteristics.

This integration of "sports + cultural tourism" aligns with Baisha's broader plan to promote balanced industrial development.

Hosting international sporting events has become a key platform for promoting the county's image. Going forward, Baisha intends to further leverage the National Southern Training Base for Sports to enhance its "events + training + study tours" approach, while sustaining its momentum in hosting international competitions in basketball, boxing, and powerlifting.

As one local spectator put it: "It's thrilling to watch international competitions happening right at our doorstep. We hope there will be more events like this in the future."