As the phenomenon of rural hollowing accelerates, securing endogenous developmental momentum has become a critical objective within China's rural revitalization strategy. Recently, grassroots sports events, notably the "Cun BA" basketball tourname...
As the phenomenon of rural hollowing accelerates, securing endogenous developmental momentum has become a critical objective within China's rural revitalization strategy. Recently, grassroots sports events, notably the "Cun BA" basketball tournament in Guizhou Province, have emerged as a novel catalyst for regional revitalization. However, previous studies have predominantly treated these events as isolated cultural phenomena, lacking a comprehensive analysis of how they translate into sustainable socio-economic development. Therefore, this study aims to empirically analyze the success factors and the structural influence relationships of regional revitalization driven by rural sports activities.
Grounded in Endogenous Development Theory and Wendy Griswold’s Cultural Diamond Model, this research establishes a comprehensive structural framework. Data were collected through a field survey conducted in Taipan Village, Guizhou Province, from late September to early October 2025. A total of 450 questionnaires were distributed to local residents and inbound permanent populations who settled due to the event's influence, yielding 413 valid responses. To ensure methodological rigor in this specific socio-cultural context, the measurement tools were cross-validated through both Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).
The key findings are as follows: First, as a cultural object, the "Cun BA" tournament stimulates the cultural subjectivity of residents, generating "sports empowerment" which acts as the initial endogenous driving force. Second, Place Attachment serves as a crucial mediating mechanism in this process. Specifically, its sub-dimensions—Cultural Identity and Community Belongingness—effectively transform psychological empowerment into actionable social capital, preventing the dissolution of rural communities and fostering active collective action. Third, under the macro-policy context of ecological civilization construction, residents' "Will for Ecological Protection" plays an essential role. It acts as a structural safeguard that prevents the "paradox of revitalization" caused byover-commercialization, ensuring that quantitative economic vitality transitions into qualitative, sustainable growth.
In conclusion, this study bridges the gap between cultural sociology and regional economic development. It provides empirical evidence that fostering cultural identity and community belongingness through sports, coupled with ecological awareness, is a vital pathway to achieving authentic and resilient endogenous rural revitalization.