Calcuttans of Chinese descent and Chinese nationals working here are fighting it out on a basketball court in Tangra to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The Chinese Indian Association has organised the tournament that began on Saturday with seven teams taking part. The tournament will continue till mid-September.

Tangra resident James Liao, who runs a leather business, said he was playing the game after 20 years.

“I used to play basketball in school and later for some clubs. I will play again because of this tournament.” He said he was excited with the idea that he would get to interact with Chinese people during the tournament.

Most of the players taking part are Chinese expatriates, said Bean Ching Law, president of the association.

There are three teams comprising Calcuttans of Chinese descent, two with Chinese nationals who work for Chinese mobile phone companies in Calcutta, and a team with employees of the Chinese consulate in Calcuttan and another with a mix of Chinese expatriates working for the consulate and Calcuttans of Chinese descent.

The tournament will see 42 matches with the final to be played on September 15. An organiser said four referees from the West Bengal Basketball Association had been hired for the tournament.

Two teams battle it out on the first day of the basketball tournament in Tangra on Saturday. Picture by Bishwarup Dutta

Andy Lee, a Chinese national, said he was happy to be a part of the tournament.

“I feel happy to participate in a tournament celebrating 70 years of my country,” Lee, who is from Beijing and a director of a non-ferrous metal company in Calcutta, said.

“Each of the teams has 10 members. Majority of the participants are Chinese expatriates. It’s a great occasion to know each other,” said Law.

A common descent and a shared culture provide the perfect platform for both to mix quickly, an organiser said.

The Chinese people who have left their homes and families behind will enjoy the comfort of a home away from home over the next few days, he said.

The first known Chinese to arrive in India was a trader who came somewhere near Budge Budge in the 18th century, a community member said.

The settlements in Tiretta Bazaar began around 150 years ago, Law said.

There are Chinese temples at Tiretta Bazaar even now, he said. “The settlements in Tangra are recent. They started about 60 years ago.”

People get to know each other during cultural programmes held at the consulate or in other places, he said.

“We knew a few Chinese nationals because they were keen on playing basketball. Once they arrived in Calcutta for work, they got to know us because we play basketball,” Law said.

He said basketball was a popular sport among Calcuttans of Chinese descent.

An organiser said that the tournament was being hosted on the premises of Tangra’s Peimay School, a Chinese medium institution that was shut down 10 years ago for want of students.

“After the school shut down, it was turned into a meeting place for community members. Cultural programmes are held here regularly,” he said.