The "big heart plan" Photo: Courtesy of the Xizang sports bureau

China's General Administration of Sport (GAS) plans to enhance the development of the country's sports industry, vowing to launch or rebuild over 1,000 sports venues across the country during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), so that more people in the country could participate in sporting activities.

Qiu Ru, an official from the GAS, said during a media briefing held by the State Council Information Office on Wednesday that China has invested more than 13.5 billion yuan ($2.12 billion) in the construction of sports facilities.

By the end of 2020, the number of national sports venues increased by 89.7 percent over 2017 levels, and the total area of sporting venues in the country increased by 33.4 percent during the three-year period.

Aside from increasing the number of sports venues, the GAC has allocated nearly 4.7 billion yuan on refurbishing over 1,000 sporting facilities to support free or low-cost public access. The facilities have benefited up to 200 million people each year, said Qiu.

The GAC plans to focus fund allocation to sports infrastructure that directly benefits the general public. In addition, GAC is also planning to cooperate with schools and open their sports facilities to the public. 

Global Times