by sportswriters Zhu Xiao and Lu Huadong
NANJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- On a Saturday evening in May, before a Su Super League match between Changzhou and Huai'an in east China's Jiangsu Province, a young Spanish boy in a red Changzhou jersey beamed with excitement as he walked onto the pitch hand-in-hand with a referee, alongside Chinese ball kids. Watching from the touchline, his father, Carlos Lorite, was visibly moved.
The hugely popular Su Super League is an amateur competition featuring 13 city teams from across Jiangsu. Launched last year, it kicked off its second season in April.
Lorite, a Spanish entrepreneur based in Changzhou, has been captivated by the league since its debut, especially by its passionate grassroots players and fans.
Most players are ordinary people with regular jobs, devoting their spare time to training and representing their hometowns. "I can really relate to them because I'm a football lover too. I even find myself wanting to join in. Their hard work makes me feel deeply connected to the team," he said.
He is equally impressed by the supporters. "Winning matters, but it never overshadows the joy of the game and the spirit of encouragement here," Lorite noted. "What moves me most is that fans cheer for both teams, no matter where the match is played."
To engage fans further, Changzhou launched an innovative "wish pool" campaign this year, inviting supporters to submit heartfelt wishes. After attending the season opener, Lorite made a simple request: that his son could walk out as a ball boy.
"My son was born and raised in Changzhou. He's always thrilled watching Su Super League games, and that's where the idea came from," he said. "I never imagined this wish would come true. It will be an unforgettable memory for him and our whole family."
Lorite has another plan: to collect signed jerseys from every Changzhou player this season. "This year marks the fifth anniversary of our company's presence in Changzhou. I want to display the fully autographed shirts at our factory as a token of our affection for the city."
He works for Lamigraf, a Spanish company founded in Barcelona in 1976 and now a leading family-owned firm in the decorative paper industry, with a sales network in more than 60 countries and regions.
Five years ago, Lamigraf invested 10 million euros (11.6 million U.S. dollars) to establish Lamigraf (Changzhou) New Material Technology Co., Ltd. in Jiangsu, the group's fourth global production base and a key hub for its Asia-Pacific expansion.
When he first arrived, Lorite had concerns about operating overseas. But efficient local support and a reliable business environment soon eased his worries.
From project launch to full operation, the process took less than a year, setting a new record for the group's overseas factory construction. "It fully convinced me that investing in China was absolutely the right decision," he said.
Robust China-Spain economic ties have also given companies like Lamigraf new momentum. Lorite regards China as a reliable investment destination, committed to opening up and with strong long-term prospects.
He believes the two economies are highly complementary: Spanish products such as olive oil and wine are popular in China, while Europe can learn from China's rapid advances in new energy, AI and other fields. He hopes to see more mutual investment and deeper cooperation between businesses on both sides.
After five years in Changzhou, Lorite has fully embraced life in China. Outside work, he goes hiking, camps and barbecues with friends, and takes his children to school sports events. "Little by little, I've felt the warm hospitality of this country," he said.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to kick off in June, Lorite plans to stay up late to follow the tournament, but he will not stop cheering for the Su Super League.
"Watching the World Cup and the Su Super League brings two totally different feelings," he said. "As a Spaniard, I root passionately for my motherland in the World Cup, filled with excitement and national pride. The Su Super League, by contrast, helps me blend into my adopted home."
"I can cheer for my home country with all my heart, and also shout for my second hometown," he said. "These feelings never clash. Football truly bridges people across borders. It is a universal language shared by all humanity."
"For me, football is far more than just a sport. It is a culture and a bond connecting people from different nations." Lorite believes thriving city leagues across China will enrich cultural and sporting life and create new platforms for Chinese cities to engage with the world.
Looking ahead, he plans to continue putting down roots in Changzhou, strengthening China-Spain ties and promoting more cross-cultural exchange and economic cooperation between the two countries. ■
