Guizhou “Village Super League” signs first overseas competition zone in Malaysia
In short
Guizhou's “Village Super League” (Cun Chao) sports industry group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Selangor Chinese Sports Association in Malaysia on Oct 5, creating the grassroots tournament's first overseas competition zone. The deal covers joint events, overseas communication and two-way coaching exchanges, and the Malaysian side is to adopt the full Cun Chao operating model. The signing came during the third Cun Chao international football tournament in Rongjiang county, Guizhou, which brought together 551 players, including two Malaysian teams.
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Guizhou's “Village Super League”, known as Cun Chao, has signed an agreement for its first overseas competition zone. The Guizhou Cun Chao sports industry group and the Selangor Chinese Sports Association held a strategic cooperation signing ceremony on Oct 5, according to China News Service. Caixin's news feed also listed the signing, describing the Cun Chao model as formally going abroad. [ 1 , 2 ]
The signing took place during the 2026 National Day holiday, when the third Cun Chao international football tournament was held in Rongjiang county, Guizhou. China News Service reported that 551 players from South America, Europe, Asia and Africa gathered in Rongjiang for the grassroots tournament, with Malaysia sending two teams. [ 1 ]
Under the agreement, the two sides are to build what the report described as a “communication–events–talent” cooperation loop to localise a Malaysian version of Cun Chao. On communication, the partners plan to use overseas new media platforms and what the report called the cultural ties of Southeast Asian Chinese communities to open overseas distribution channels and build international communication sites. [ 1 ]
On events, the agreement follows a two-way approach of “going out and inviting in”: the sides are to send teams to each other's competitions, with Malaysian teams joining domestic Cun Chao and the national “Ban Chao” league, and Malaysian Cun Chao sub-zone events to be held on a regular basis. [ 1 ]
On youth development, the partners plan a two-way channel for football coaches, sending coaches to give lessons and practical training. China News Service said this addresses a shortage of high-level youth coaching in Rongjiang. [ 1 ]
Ouyang Zhangwei, chief planner of Guizhou Cun Chao communications, said the Malaysian overseas zone was a key breakthrough for Cun Chao going global. He said the cooperation is not simply about holding friendly matches: the Malaysian zone will import the full Cun Chao operating concept and model, with football as a pivot to drive two-way cultural and economic exchange between the two countries, according to the report. [ 1 ]
Neither document states the financial terms, duration or fixture schedule of the agreement, and Caixin's feed summary gives no additional detail beyond the headline. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The agreement is the first time the Cun Chao format, which began as an amateur village tournament in Guizhou, is to be replicated outside China, with Malaysian organisers adopting what the Chinese side describes as the full operating model. For Guizhou, the cooperation is presented as a route to cultural and economic exchange with Southeast Asia and to strengthening local youth coaching, though no financial or scheduling terms were disclosed.
Key facts
- Guizhou's “Village Super League” (Cun Chao) sports industry group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Selangor Chinese Sports Association in Malaysia on Oct 5. [ 1 ]
- The agreement creates the first overseas Cun Chao competition zone, according to China News Service and Caixin. [ 1 , 2 ]
- During the 2026 National Day holiday, the third Cun Chao international football tournament was held in Rongjiang county, Guizhou, with 551 players from South America, Europe, Asia and Africa taking part. [ 1 ]
- Malaysia sent two teams to the tournament, China News Service reported. [ 1 ]
- The agreement is to cover a “communication–events–talent” cooperation loop, with international communication sites on overseas new media platforms and mutual team participation in China's Cun Chao and national “Ban Chao” leagues. [ 1 ]
- The two sides will set up a two-way exchange channel for football coaches, with coaches sent to teach and train, which the report said addresses a shortage of high-level youth coaches in Rongjiang. [ 1 ]
- Ouyang Zhangwei, chief planner of Guizhou Cun Chao communications, said the Malaysian zone will import the full Cun Chao operating concept and model rather than simply holding friendly matches. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The financial terms, duration and number of events under the agreement. Only the Chinese official outlet gives details of the deal, and it does not state funding, contract length or a schedule of fixtures.
- The exact composition and role of the Selangor Chinese Sports Association beyond being the signing partner. Single-source description; no further detail is given by either document.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Guizhou Cun Chao sports industry group and the Selangor Chinese Sports Association hold a strategic cooperation signing ceremony, creating the first overseas Cun Chao competition zone. [ 1 ]
- China News Service publishes its report from Rongjiang, Guizhou. [ 1 ]
- Caixin's news feed lists the signing in its morning digest. [ 2 ]