Sports in Ancient Times: Sports Organizations in the Song Dynasty

The sports industry has experienced vigorous development in China, giving rise to various sports organizations. Currently, well-known sports organizations include sports associations, clubs, national teams, and so on. In fact, about hundreds of years ago during the Song Dynasty, sports organizations were already flourishing!

Folk Sports Organizations

01. Qiyun Society 

The Qiyun Society was a guild-like organization for the cuju industry in the Song Dynasty. Similar to an industry association, it was composed of cuju artists and many young enthusiasts who loved kicking balls. The Qiyun Society established many professional cuju standards and membership rules, covering various aspects such as kicking techniques, cuju etiquette, technical standards, competition rules, event organization and professional ethics, etc.

02 Archery and Crossbow Society 

In the city of Lin'an in the Southern Song Dynasty, there was a martial arts society called the Archery and Crossbow Society. It means using arm strength to pull a strong bow and using leg strength to operate a powerful crossbow. The members of this martial arts society were all agile, with exceptionally strong arms, and highly skilled in archery and crossbow techniques. These types of martial arts societies also participated in acrobatic performances during festive occasions.

03 Sumo Wrestling Society

During the Southern Song Dynasty, sumo wrestling societies mainly performed sumo wrestling in various entertainment venues of Lin'an City. Their members were mostly "Lu Qi Ren," which referred to like-minded individuals who came from all directions. They would temporarily gather and perform in a designated area in an entertainment venue, using sumo wrestling skills to make a living.

Official Sports Organizations in the Song Dynasty

01 Zhuqiu Army

The Zhuqiu Army was governed by the Imperial Music Bureau and was the official professional football organization of the Song Dynasty. Similar to positions like "forward" and "fullback" in modern football matches, the Zhuqiu team in the Song Dynasty also had specific position titles, including "Qiutou" (literally ball header), "Qiaoqiu" (literally ball kicker), "Zhengjia" (literally main support), "Fujia" (literally auxiliary support), "Zuoganwang" (literally left pole net), and "Youganwang" (literally right pole net). 

02 Neidengzi 

Neidengzi were official professional sumo wrestlers under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Guard Administration Department. During the Southern Song Dynasty, there were as many as 120 Neidengzi. They were divided into different ranks based on their skills, with two supervisors, ten top-ranked wrestlers, ten middle-ranked wrestlers, sixteen low-ranked wrestlers, and ten sword and rod handlers. The rest were reserve members. Neidengzi underwent assessments every three years, presenting their sumo wrestling skills in front of the emperor. The winners received rewards such as silver and silk.