The press conference of the 2024 Buick Campus Invitational takes place at Shanghai Media Group on Aug 13. [Photo by Li Junfeng/english.shanghai.gov.cn]

Shanghai is set to host the 2024 Buick Campus Invitational on Aug16, which will feature a basketball showdown between Shanghai Jiao Tong University's men's and women's basketball teams and their counterparts from New York University.

The event, organized by Great Sports and Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, aims to establish a unique sports brand that provides student-athletes from prestigious universities around the world with a platform to exhibit their skills and engage in cross-cultural learning through the universal language of sports.

During a press conference on Aug 13, the organizing committee emphasized the transformative power of sports in bridging cultural divides and fostering connections between nations and individuals.

"Sports are a great way to bridge cultures, countries, and people. This is bigger than a game of basketball," said Dave Klatsky, the head coach of NYU's men's basketball team.

The NYU players embarked on an immersive, week-long cultural journey upon their arrival in Shanghai, delving into the city's rich heritage by visiting iconic landmarks, attending traditional cultural performances and exhibitions, and learning about the vibrant Haipai (Shanghai-style) and Chinese cultures.

The matches are scheduled to commence at 6 pm on Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Minhang campus, which will be broadcast live on ESPNU (ESPN sports television channel), Great Sports, and Tencent Sports, announced the organizing committee.