Upping the energy

On-trend

In Shanghai, fitness day activities began on Saturday, with a nine-day program of fun featuring 241 sports and fitness events of various levels. These range from traditional events to more modern, on-trend sports like skateboarding, frisbee and even esports motor racing.

Meanwhile, the All-China Sports Federation has organized a community street basketball series in over 50 cities across the nation, with each stop involving over 2,000 participants of all age groups. For the most part, games are staged at community venues and large shopping malls in a bid to capture the attention of the widest possible audience.

All these events are the result of China's efforts over the years to support and invigorate the sports and fitness sector. This commitment was underlined when a revision of the Law on Physical Culture and Sports, based on the inaugural version enacted in 1995, was passed at a June session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, China's top legislature. It will take effect from Jan 1, 2023.

National fitness is a key focus of the revised law, which stipulates that local governments are responsible for providing sports facilities and activities, and that a sports adviser system is promoted nationwide.

The law also states the nation should guarantee the fair participation in sports for all people, especially juveniles, women, the elderly and those with disabilities.