2024 Shaanxi Provincial Community Games Launched to Help Build a Healthy China

On October 16th, during an event in Xi’an, Wu Tie, the Minister of the Social Work Department of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, emphasized the importance of community sports in promoting public health and happiness. “Grassroots sports not only serve as a foundation for competitive athletics but are also vital to the well-being of our communities. I believe that community sports will significantly enhance national fitness and contribute to building a healthier China,” he stated.

The 2024 Shaanxi Provincial Community Sports Games kicked off in Xi’an under the theme “National Fitness, Sports for the People of Sanqin.” The event features 17 competitions across five major categories, including popular sports like soccer, basketball, table tennis, square dancing, and tai chi, which appeal to a wide range of participants, young and old alike. Additionally, there are family-friendly competitions like jump rope, tug-of-war, and four-player shuttlecock kicking, which encourage team participation and social interaction.

During the launch ceremony, the atmosphere in the Hongzhuan South Road community in Yanta District was lively. Residents not only enjoyed impressive performances on the square but also engaged in various contests, including five-person pot throwing, chess, fitness qigong, square dancing, and gateball. The community was filled with a vibrant and harmonious spirit of celebration.

It’s noteworthy that this is the first community sports event held across the province. Each city or district has tailored its competitions based on provincial guidelines, with opportunities to introduce 1 to 2 unique events that reflect local characteristics, ensuring at least 10 events at each venue.

You Lei, the Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Sports Bureau, highlighted the efforts made in recent years to create a robust event system in the province. “We have established a community sports framework led by national fitness events and supported by provincial brand events, which aims to deeply integrate public health with fitness. The concepts of ‘healthy sports, joyful sports, and happy sports’ have become ingrained in our society,” he said.

The event is organized by the Social Work Department of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Shaanxi Provincial Sports Bureau.