Yu Jian, an inheritor of cuju equipment manufacturing techniques in Linzi district of Zibo city, Shandong province, makes a leather cuju ball. [Photo provided to China Daily]
All of the cuju balls made in Yu's workshop are handmade. His cuju products have been sold to more than 130 countries and regions.
To protect and promote the manufacturing techniques of cuju balls and equipment, Yu provides courses for students who come to his workshop to study and try their hand at making cuju equipment, welcoming around 10,000 people every year.
Students in Linzi are not only learning how to make cuju equipment, but also playing the game as a form of exercise and to master the techniques of playing this ancient style of soccer.
"Side-flicking", "chest down "and "shoulder stopper" are some of the essential moves mastered by cuju players. Li Weipeng, a seventh-generation inheritor of cuju, has been practicing these skills for 18 years.
The 34-year-old is now perfect at different cuju techniques. However, when he joined the cuju team in 2004, he was stumped by the simplest of moves, even though he had been playing football for a decade.
Li had undergone professional football training since he was 8 years old. In 2004, when the cuju team in Linzi was looking to recruit players, he signed up.
"At the beginning, I spent eight hours a day practicing juggling a ball. It was exhausting," says Li.
Students try making cuju balls at a workshop run by Yu. [Photo provided to China Daily]
When Li could juggle a ball hundreds of times in a row, he started practicing other skills such as side-flicking and "chest down".
Li is now able to juggle a ball with his foot over 10,000 times in a row.
Linzi district has been promoting the ancient game at the campuses of each primary and middle school. Cuju moves have been adapted into dances and morning exercises.
Teaching students cuju techniques is a part of Li's job.
"Students show great interest in playing cuju, which encourages me to promote the ancient sport," says Li.
During the World Cup in Qatar, Li gave a demonstration of cuju at a China-Qatar youth exchange activity held in Doha. He led Chinese and Qatari youth players, wearing traditional cuju costumes, to experience the ancient game and see for themselves the similarities and differences between cuju and modern football.
"As soon as we started, many football fans gathered around us. When we demonstrated the different moves, they cheered for us and gave us the thumbs-up," says Li, adding that many people were curious and keen to interact with the cuju players.
"Cuju, the ancient Chinese game, has gone beyond sport. It has become a platform to enhance exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations," says Yu.
