The sports carnival kicked off on Thursday, aiming to provide a comprehensive platform for sports competitions, ethnic integration, cultural exchanges and economic cooperation.

Wahab believes that sports can serve as a form of diplomacy, one that brings people together — even without verbal communication — through sportsmanship and shared enjoyment.

Md Khaled, consul general of the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Kunming, echoed the sentiment, noting that sports can play a vital role in increasing people-to-people connections, thereby enhancing friendship among nations, regions and different ethnic groups.

Jan Demsar, a Slovenian basketball player representing Thailand team Shoot It Dragons, said that sports can help forge friendships all over the world.

Key added that such sporting events show that Chinese people and those from the US share a passion for basketball and the spirit of competition, as well as a desire to enjoy life and to come together to foster love and peace.

"I hope both nations can come to an understanding that, although we live life differently, we're all the same," he added.

Black Ops ultimately secured third place in the tournament.