Basketball in the Steppes

Basketball was once a novelty in Mongolia — it was barely shown on TV. Now, the ball can be heard in valleys and mountain villages. From the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar to towns like Tosontsengel and Muren, teenagers are taking to the court more and more often. Why is the game so compelling? And what does it mean for a generation between nomadic roots and a new rhythm of life? Let's take a closer look. 

A New Passion on the Mongolian Steppes
In towns where there are still more horses than cars, something unexpected happens: kids kick a basketball around dusty yards and gravel streets. It’s no longer just a hobby but a part of everyday life. Against the backdrop of this growth, the topic of NBA betting is increasingly heard, adding excitement, debates, and even impromptu challenges among friends. And when local tournaments are held in Kharkhorin or Bayankhongor, it seems that the infectious drive takes over the entire village.

How Basketball Reached Rural Youth
Basketball appeared in Mongolia during the Soviet years, but real interest only awakened in the early 2000s. Satellite TV reached the villages, and people started discussing the NBA in yurts. Names like LeBron or Curry were no longer heard on screens but in conversations around the campfire. Schoolchildren in the villages built rings even from bicycle rims — just to play. From 2015 to 2023, according to the basketball association, more than 500 outdoor playgrounds appeared across the country, even in villages with a population of less than two thousand.

Mobile communications gave a real breakthrough. With the advent of the Internet, young people began not only to watch matches but also to place bets on the MelBet Indonesia site that appeared in 2012. Those who turned 18 constantly watched matches and rooted for their favorite teams by placing bets on them. Now, in 2025, more than 1000 betting options are available there daily. From football to eSports and even airport weather. A quick registration, a bonus at the start — and you're already in the game.

Local Heroes and Grassroots Growth
Basketball wouldn’t be as big a deal in Mongolia without those who lit the first spark - local stars who inspire entire neighborhoods. People like Tuvshinjargal Bat-Erdene, a former herder and now a player on the national 3x3 team, are changing the way young people think about what’s possible. Here’s how grassroots basketball is developing across Mongolia:

With stats like these, it’s clear: this is more than a trend - it’s a transformation.

Courts, Community, and Connection
Basketball courts in Mongolia are no longer just places to play. In towns like Tsetserleg and Baruun-Urt, they have become real centers of life — birthday parties, karaoke, and local news. According to a 2024 youth survey conducted by the Mongolian Development Institute, 72% of rural teenagers named the basketball court as their favorite public space. That's more than parks, schools, or even internet cafes.

But the main thing is that these courts erase boundaries. At one game, you can easily meet nomad children, students, teachers' sons, and local shop owners. On weekends, adults join them - some just watch, while others, like retired wrestlers, take to the court themselves. Here, basketball is not just a game. It's a way to be together.

Education, Identity, and the Game
Schools across Mongolia are increasingly integrating basketball into their curriculum, from physical education classes to extracurricular activities. Since 2019, the Steppe Sports project has trained more than 3,200 coaches. In soums like Khuzhirt and Tariat, students compete for scholarships, where athletic achievements carry the same weight as grades. These are not elite academies - ordinary state schools that focus on their students.

But basketball is not just about sports. It has become part of self-expression. Jerseys with numbers, replays of NBA moves, the eternal debate about who is cooler - Giannis or Luka. All this is not just entertainment. It is confidence, a sense of belonging, and a way to speak the same language with the world - even if you grew up in a tiny village. And when the Mongolian 3x3 team ranks among the top 10 in Asia according to FIBA, dreams suddenly seem far less distant.

Challenges in Remote Development
Even with the overall upswing, the path forward is not without obstacles. Infrastructure, logistics, and a lack of specialists are still holding back growth in a number of regions. Here are the key problems:

1. Weather conditions: Most of the courts are open-air, and in winter or during sandstorms, they are simply inaccessible.
2. Lack of coaches: More than 40% of rural somons do not have a single qualified coach or physical education teacher.
3. Transportation problems: Many teenager have to travel 50 kilometers or more to get to a tournament — they simply have nowhere to play in their villages.
4. Lack of equipment: In remote areas, even a ball can be a rarity, let alone sneakers or a standard hoop — without the help of sponsors, equipment is almost unobtainable.

But all this is not a reason to give up. On the contrary: difficulties unite, force us to find a way out of the impossible, and not give up.

Dreams Taking Flight Through Sport
Stories from the Mongolian steppe are about more than just basketball. Young people are making the global game part of their everyday lives. Here, the ball bounces differently - not just on the ground, but inside everyone who steps onto the court. They dream big, they train hard, and they believe in themselves. And that belief? It’s only just getting better.