Athletes compete in a water polo event of the 2nd National Youth Games in Taiyuan, in Shanxi province, on July 19. [Photo/sxrb.com] 

The water polo event of the 2nd National Youth Games opened in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, on July 19.

The 13-day event, divided into sports school and social club categories, has attracted 330 participants in 22 teams from across China. 

Taiyuan Huaxiang Teenage Sports Club, Taiyuan Xuefu Sports Club and Taiyuan Amateur Swimming Sport School are taking part in the event on behalf of Shanxi province.

Originating from the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century, the game of water polo developed into a competitive team sport played in the water from the original  entertainment activity in which people threw a football in the water while swimming. The sport was introduced to China in the 1920s. 

The sport consists of four quarters in which the two teams attempt to score goals by throwing the ball into the opposing team's goal. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins the match. Each team is made up of six field players and one goalkeeper.