The management system and
operational mechanism for a fitness campaign is phased in.
An adequate management system and a best-practice operational mechanism
have boosted the development of a province-wide fi
tness campaign in Fujian. One
third of the population (over 10 million people), take part in physical
activities on regular basis. Half of the counties (32), meet the requirements
for National Model County of Sports, ranked 6th in the country. Three counties,
including one city at county level, Putian, Xianyou, and Fuqing are awarded many
times the national title of Home of Track & Field Events. Nine counties or
districts win the national title of Home of Martial Arts. They are Quanzhou
Licheng District, Shishi City, Yongtai County, Changle County, Jinjiang City,
Xianyou County, and Liancheng County. 17 residential quarters are regarded as
China's model neighborhoods of city sports. 87 stations are set up to monitor
adults' physical conditions and 4,309 coaches for social physical activities are
trained at all levels.
Public sports networks and organizations are
expanding.
In this province, there are 2,614 tutoring centers receiving over 447,500
people, and 11,879 sports centers receiving more than 1.85 million people. The
number of places dedicated to public sports activities has increased by 119%.
673 schools offer traditional physical education. 10,469 students are enrolled
in the amateur sport schools (including the provincial sports school) which have
682 (including those in the provincial sports school) coaches. And 5.59 million
students have met National Physical Education Standard, accounting for 93% of
the tested and 85% of the students with a right age. The rural fitness
initiative has been put in force in 409 administrative villages province-wide,
and 130 state-invested rural fitness centers in place.
The atmosphere for a fitness campaign is taking
form.
Since 1997 the fitness festival has been held across the province, creating
a good atmosphere for public sports activities. Efforts have been beefed up to
build provincial and national public fitness centers, model urban neighborhoods,
neighborhood sports clubs, and programs are set up to promote sport activities
in rural areas and urban neighborhoods. The juvenile sports, workers sports,
rural sports, senior citizens sports, handicapped sports, and ethnic groups'
sports have all made significant development. Major provincial sports games have
been successfully held such as the Senior's Sports Meeting, Farmers' Sports
Meeting, Games for Ethnic Groups, Games for the Disabled, Women's Fitness
Contest, etc.
Folk sports activities are diversified and
widespreading.
Traditional folk sports are diversified in Fujian, and it has a long
history. Favorites of the general public include martial arts, chess games,
dragon boat race, dragon dance, lion dance, pigeon racing, kite flying,
shuttlecock kicking, Tiaofan, high-stilted dance, pebbles picking, etc. Martial
arts is Fujian's traditional sport. According to a survey, there're over 60
Martial arts schools, of which 34 have been documented into Fujian Record of
Martial Arts. In Fujian, rivers are abundant. More than 1,000 years ago dragon
boat race gained popularity among the general public. The event reaches its
climax around the Dragon Boat Festival, attracting throngs of people regardless
of the weather conditions. Dragon dance is a must in celebrating traditional
festivals throughout the province, particularly during the Lantern Festival. The
scene is extraordinarily festive with active public participation. And just like
the dragon dance, the lion dance is a way people employ to express their wishes
and longing for a happy and prosperous life.
Sports activities are popular among senior
citizens.
In December 1983, Fujian Senior's Sports Association was officially
established. Currently there're 12,634 senior's sports organizations at
different levels with 1.37 million plus members, 5,113 tutoring centers, and
19,160 tutors. Over 15,000 seniors-oriented sports venues have covered an area
of about 800,000 sq m and over 60 modern and traditional sports activities
oriented towards senior citizens have been introduced, rediscovered, or created.
The number of senior people participating in sport activities regularly reaches
over 2 million. The fitness drive for senior people is being carried out with
necessary facilities in an organized and planned way. Since 1987, Fujian
Senior's Sports Meeting, a triennial event, has been held for seven times,
boosting the elder's passion for sport and promoting the fitness drive among the
senior people.
（Editor:ShenJiaju）
