National beach sepaktakraw championship kicks off in Zhoushan

Athletes compete at the "Country Garden Cup" 2019 National Beach Sepaktakraw Championship in Zhujiajian Island, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province on June 24. [Photo/zj.zjol.com] 

The "Country Garden Cup" 2019 National Beach Sepaktakraw Championship kicked off on Zhujiajian Island, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province on June 24, the first national professional sepaktakraw competition ever held in this island city. 

Beach sepaktakraw, also known as "kick volleyball", is similar to volleyball, except athletes are required to kick the ball with their feet instead of using their hands. 

The sport originated in Malaysia and is a popular sport in Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

It became an official event in the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, and will also be a highlight in the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2022.

The championship is hosted by the General Administration of Sport, Chinese Association of Sepaktakraw, Zhejiang Provincial Sports Bureau, and the municipal government of Zhoushan. It runs until June 28. 

As an island city, Zhoushan boasts many beaches that are ideal venues for outdoor sporting events such as beach football and beach volleyball.

The championship will help promote the city's outdoor sports, tourism and marine culture.

Athletes enter the venue before the championship starts. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

Local performers give a dance show before the championship starts. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]