The World Games 2025 in Chengdu from Aug 7 to 17 has once again ignited the passion of sports fans. Sports have increasingly become an integral part of Chinese people's lives, with many engaging in regular fitness activities. While elite sports events like the Olympics and World Championships have always captivated the nation, a new trend is emerging where grassroots sports tournaments are taking center stage.

This year, a series of local basketball and soccer leagues, such as a soccer city league in Jiangsu province and a basketball tournament in Zhejiang province, have attracted national attention and excitement. Prior to these, a village basketball league in Guizhou province went viral and became a national sensation in 2022.

Instead of focusing on elite sports competitions, people are now turning toward grassroots initiatives that promote a sense of community and friendship, and generate lots of fun. This shift toward "happy sports" is reshaping the way the Chinese people perceive and experience sports, with an emphasis on accessibility for all.

One of the key elements driving this trend is people's desire to be more personally involved in playing sports or organizing/watching sports competitions. Initiatives like village — and provincial-level sports tournaments give individuals the opportunity to not only watch games but also to take part in them as athletes. This hands-on approach to sports promotes physical activity and helps develop among people a sense of ownership and pride in their sporting achievements.

I once watched a village basketball game in Guizhou's Taipan village, the birthplace of amateur basketball leagues. The atmosphere was lively, with mostly villagers watching the game for fun during a break in the plowing-sowing-harvesting season. There were no professional security personnel in or around the basketball court. Instead, during the breaks in the game, the spectators, including many children, lined up to try their hand at shooting. When the referee's whistle signaled the resumption of the game, everyone immediately returned to their seats, without disrupting the game.

The scene was quite novel for someone like me, who has been covering elite sports for decades. But for the village crowd it was a common sight. Participating in sports in this manner has become a part of their daily life.

Moreover, the rise of grassroots sports tournaments is promoting a culture of health and wellness in China. By encouraging regular physical activity and participation in sports at the community level, these initiatives are helping combat sedentary lifestyle and promoting people's healthy development. The focus on "sport for all" has prompted individuals of all ages and backgrounds to lead healthier, more physically active lifestyles, thereby contributing to the nation's health and fitness goals.

In addition to the physical benefits, the growing popularity of grassroots sports is also fostering social cohesion within communities. By bringing people together through sports, these initiatives are creating platforms for interaction, friendship and mutual support. Whether on the basketball court or the soccer field, individuals are bonding over their shared love for sports, transcending social barriers and fostering a sense of togetherness and solidarity.

The economic benefits brought about by local mass sports events are not to be underestimated. The first six rounds of the soccer city league in Jiangsu from May to July this year raised the province's service revenue to nearly 38 billion yuan ($5.3 billion) by boosting the tourism, transportation, dining and hotel sectors.

What's more, the thriving mass sports events are getting more policy support. In 2024, the Communist Party of China Central Committee's No 1 Document emphasized the importance of upholding the leading role of farmers, promoting the healthy development of mass cultural and sports activities such as village basketball tournaments. It was the first time that such activities were included in the national policy for rural vitalization.

In June 2024, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and eight other government departments jointly issued a guideline on promoting the high-quality development of tourism services by, among other things, encouraging activities such as square dancing, village talent shows, and village basketball tournaments in tourist spots.

As such, more and more villages, cities and provinces are seeing an increase in amateur sports leagues. The era of "happy sports" and widespread sports participation is here to stay. Grassroots sports events reflect a broader societal shift toward active engagement and community building.

By embracing this new paradigm, the Chinese people are not only redefining the way they perceive sports but also enriching their lives through physical activity, social interactions and a shared passion for sports. In this evolving landscape, the spirit of sportsmanship, friendship and joy is flourishing, inspiring a new generation of athletes and sports enthusiasts across the country.

The author is China Daily national desk editor.

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