14th Xinjiang Sports Games kick off in Korla

14th Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Games Photo: VCG

The 14th Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Games  opened on Tuesday evening in Korla city, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. One of the most influential and comprehensive games of its kind in the region, it has attracted over 10,000 participants.    

The games, hosted by the regional government, are set to run until August 15. A total of 20 sports and 687 events will be held during the games, such as wushu, boxing, taekwondo, swimming, soccer, basketball, judo, and track and field competitions. Athletes from 14 delegations across the region are competing in the games.

Wang Guanglin, an official with the preparatory committee of the games, introduced that the games have drawn wide public support, with more than 950 volunteers helping with reception, transportation, equipment and medical care. Based on the principle of sustainability and to save on costs, the sports venues were all upgraded and transformed from already built stadiums and venues, Wang further noted.

The games are held every four years. For the first time, the games have opened up events to the public. These competitions, for non-professional athletes only, include 38 sports and 195 events, such as swimming, marathon and road cycling. The setup of non-professional competitions aims to boost public enthusiasm for sports in the pursuit of physical fitness and life enrichment.

Shang Hongbo, deputy director of the Sports Bureau of Xinjiang, noted that a series of activities featuring the traditional Chinese exercise qigong and badminton competitions have been launched on the sidelines of the games among local communities.

According to the regional sports bureau, the region has been making continuous efforts to further improve public service systems for sports and exercise, making it more convenient for people to participate in physical activities and igniting the public's enthusiasm for sports. Currently, over 70 sports venues in the region have been opened to the public for either free or at low fees. The per capita sports field area in the region now has reached 2.41 square meters, and the proportion of people who regularly participate in physical exercise exceeds 34.1 percent.