Mabian’s Billiards Gains Widespread Popularity

​“砰！”清脆的击球声划破乐山市马边彝族自治县梅林镇台球室的热闹氛围，白球如离弦之箭精准撞击目标球，伴随着“唰”的落袋声，围观人群瞬间爆发出阵阵喝彩，有人忍不住拍着桌子喊“好球！”——这样充满活力的场景，如今已成为马边各乡镇的日常写照。

"Bang!" The crisp sound of a cue hitting the ball cut through the lively atmosphere of a billiards club in Meilin Town, Mabian Yi Autonomous County, Leshan City. The white ball struck the target ball precisely like an arrow off the string, followed by the satisfying "swish" of the ball falling into the pocket. The onlookers instantly burst into cheers, some couldn't help but pat the table and shout, "Great shot!". This vibrant scene has now become a daily sight in all towns and townships of Mabian.

“现在农闲时候，全镇各村组都能看到大家打台球的身影。”梅林镇镇长吉石拉根介绍，近年来梅林镇的台球运动热度一路攀升，2023年全镇仅有8台台球桌，如今已增至50余台，3家超市更是主动转型改建成台球室，其中规模最大的一家能容纳12张球桌，每天从早到晚都坐满爱好者，人气格外火爆。目前，台球桌已覆盖全镇9个村，爱好者们还自发组队参加县内外赛事，眼下正紧锣密鼓策划镇域首届台球擂台赛，“大家的热情挡都挡不住！”

"Nowadays, during the slack farming season, you can find people playing billiards in every village group in the town," said Jishi Lagen, Mayor of Meilin Town. He introduced that in recent years, billiards has surged in popularity in Meilin Town. In 2023, there were only 8 billiards tables in the town, but that number has now increased to more than 50. Three supermarkets have even transformed into billiards clubs, with the largest accommodating 12 tables and bustling with enthusiasts from morning till night, enjoying extraordinary popularity. Currently, billiards tables are present in 9 villages in the town, and enthusiasts have also formed teams spontaneously to participate in events both within and beyond the county. At present, they are busy planning the town's first billiards challenge tournament. "The enthusiasm of everyone is unstoppable!"

梅林镇的台球热，正是马边彝族自治县推动这项运动普及的一个缩影。近年来，马边持续发力推广台球运动，如今已实现全县乡镇台球设施全覆盖，群众参与热情节节高涨，从县城到乡村，处处都能感受到浓厚的台球氛围。​

The billiards craze in Meilin Town is a microcosm of the popularization of this sport promoted by Mabian Yi Autonomous County. In recent years, Mabian has actively promoted billiards, achieving full coverage of billiards facilities across all its towns and townships. The community's enthusiasm for participation has been rising steadily, with a vibrant billiards culture thriving from the county seat to its villages.

“今年光从我这儿买器材新开的台球室就有30多家，乡镇来采购的人特别多。”在县城经营台球生意的曲别叶夫，是这场“台球热”的见证者和参与者。他不仅开了3家台球室，还售卖台球器材，在他的台球俱乐部里，每天都有大批爱好者慕名而来，既有县城居民，也有周边乡镇专程赶来切磋的村民。

"This year alone, more than 30 new billiards clubs bought equipment from me, and there are plenty of buyers coming from towns and townships," said Qubie Yefu, who runs a billiards business in the county seat and is a witness to and a participant of this "billiards craze". He not only owns 3 billiards clubs but also sells billiards equipment. Qubie's club attracts a steady stream of enthusiasts daily, including residents of the county seat and villagers from surrounding towns and townships who make a special trip to compete and exchange skills.

“这两年大家对台球的热爱肉眼可见地增长，不同年龄段的人凑在一起聊球技、打比赛，每月至少有一次小型交流赛。”曲别叶夫笑着说，目前他正在筹备注册台球协会，就是想为马边的台球爱好者搭建更正规的平台，带来更多专业赛事。

"Over the past two years, the passion for billiards has grown noticeably. People of different age groups gather to talk about skills and play in competitions, with at least one small-scale exchange match held every month," Qubie Yefu said with a smile. Currently, he is preparing to establish a billiards association, aiming to build a more formal platform for billiards enthusiasts in Mabian and bring more professional events.

台球运动能在马边快速普及，离不开当地相关部门的积极推动。为了让群众在家门口就能享受运动乐趣，马边多举措建设台球设施：各乡镇充分利用闲置场地，改造成温馨的台球活动室；文化广场等公共场所也增设了露天台球桌，居民随时能拿起球杆“露一手”。数据显示，目前马边全县各乡镇已拥有近百张台球桌，基本满足了群众的运动需求。

The rapid popularization of billiards in Mabian is inseparable from the proactive efforts of relevant local departments. To allow residents to enjoy the fun of sports right at their doorsteps, Mabian has taken multiple measures to build billiards facilities: All towns and townships have repurposed idle spaces into inviting billiards activity rooms; and public places such as cultural squares now feature outdoor billiards tables, allowing residents to grab a cue and "show their skills" at any time. Data indicates that currently, all towns and townships in Mabian County have nearly 100 billiards tables, basically meeting the sports needs of the people.

随着参与人数增多，马边开始向更高层次的赛事探索，让台球运动从“休闲娱乐”走向“竞技比拼”。今年8月，“炸清・健康杯”乐山市中式台球挑战赛在马边开赛，来自全省16个县126名选手参赛，比赛现场热闹非凡，选手们全神贯注，架杆、瞄准、击球动作行云流水，展现出不俗的竞技水平。观众们把赛场围得水泄不通，每当出现精彩进球，现场就响起雷鸣般的掌声和欢呼声。“这样的高水平比赛太精彩了！不仅看得过瘾，更让我们想跟着学、跟着打。”现场一位观众难掩兴奋，直言比赛点燃了自己的运动热情。​

As the number of participants increases, Mabian is elevating the sport from casual recreation to competitive excellence. In August this year, the "Zhaqing-Health Cup" Leshan Chinese Billiards Challenge kicked off in Mabian, drawing a total of 126 players from 16 counties across the province. The competition venue buzzed with excitement as the players focused intently, and their movements of placing the cue, aiming, and hitting the ball were natural and smooth, demonstrating excellent competitive standards. The audience packed the venue as well. Whenever there was a wonderful shot, thunderous applause and cheers erupted on the scene. "Such a high-level competition is really wonderful! It's not only enjoyable to watch but also inspires us to learn and play," a spectator couldn't hide his excitement and said bluntly that the competition had ignited his passion for sports.

除了大型赛事，马边还鼓励各乡镇、社区自主组织小型比赛，让台球运动在乡村扎下了更深的根。

In addition to large-scale events, Mabian also encourages all towns, townships, and communities to organize small-scale competitions independently, enabling billiards to take deeper roots in the countryside.

(乐山观察 牛萍)