Tan Siqi’s family live among the mountains in a remote part of Southwest China. Life is hard here, but after attending the local primary school, Siqi was given the chance to make a better future for herself, when she was offered a place at Chongqing's prestigious 37th Middle School.
It's rare for children in China to transfer from remote primary and middle schools, to study in the city, where the schools are usually much better equipped and the academic standard, much higher. That Siqi could earn such a move, was thanks to her talent for football.
Tan Siqi and other girls in the football team training. /CGTN Photo
Chongqing's 37th Middle School has a particularly fine girls' football team. An effective scouting network has proved itself capable of discovering and recruiting talent from even the most remote places in the region.
Despite their success, the school's girl footballers still have to contend with a certain amount of prejudice. In this part of China, football is generally thought of as a boys' sport. Regular exposure to the elements in training and matches has earned Siqi the nickname, "Tanned Sister" – a cruel reference to the fact that her skin is not the light color that is generally considered beautiful.
The opportunity she has been given is helping Siqi to develop not just as a footballer, but as a person. Those who know her, say she has an inherent beauty that is transforming her into a graceful and confident young woman. Her teachers praise her hard-working attitude.
As a footballer, Tan Siqi has earned a national award and is planning to go to Spain for further training. However, even if she fails to make the grade as a professional footballer, the other qualities she is honing promise her a bright future, beyond the remote mountains of her home.
Rediscovering China is a 30-minute feature program offering in-depth reports on the major issues facing China today. It airs on Sundays at 10.30 a.m. BJT (02.30 GMT), with a rebroadcast at 11.30 p.m. (15.30 GMT), as well as on Mondays at 8.30 a.m. (00.30 GMT) and Fridays at 1.30 p.m. (05. 30 GMT).
(Top Photo: Tan Siqi and her partners in the football team training. /CGTN Photo)