Yunnan University team promotes sports to boost rural vitalization

A team from the School of Physical Education at Yunnan University visited Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture from Aug 1 to 8 to carry out a weeklong action plan dubbed "Sports Help Xishuangbanna Rural Vitalization".

The team was divided into four groups – one for social research, a group of volunteers to teach soccer skills and disseminate sports knowledge, a third providing a skills guidance service, and a fourth group that served as "social instructors" for local villages – to carry out important research and public welfare activities.

The group of soccer volunteers developed a special curriculum and personalized training programs for locals. These not only imparted soccer skills, but also helped to cultivate a spirit of sportsmanship.

The knowledge promotion and skills guidance group gave tips on how to stay healthy while teaching various fitness skills, integrating red education and elements from the national curriculum to meet the needs of development in the new era. These efforts were unanimously praised by local villagers.

The social research team went to 15 characteristic ethnic villages, interviewed more than 40 sports inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, investigated 75 sports clubs, four sports industry bases, and six "IP" sports events. Through their in-depth communication with local people, the team members gained a deeper understanding of the important role that sports can play in improving villagers' income, further buttressing rural culture, and boosting the spirit of communities in rural areas.

As Xishuangbanna's climate is humid and rainy, local people are less inclined to take up outdoor sports, which is hampering the rural vitalization drive. To combat this, the team provided "social sports guidance” for the people of Manen village.

Moving forwards, the team will carry forward the concept of "sports + countryside" and encourage more young people to bolster and support rural vitalization efforts.