Ningbo advisor calls for sports events to drive rural vitalization

Liu Yan. [Photo/Yongpai App]

Liu Yan, a member of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and director of the academic research department at Ningbo Library, submitted a proposal at the fourth session of the 13th Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the CPPCC on Jan 13, urging the use of mass sports events as a catalyst for rural vitalization.

Liu, a long‑time sports enthusiast, has closely followed the rapid rise of grassroots competitions across China. Events such as Zhejiang's ZheBA – Zhejiang Provincial City Basketball League, and similar provincial‑level tournaments have gained national attention for their strong local character and broad public participation. In her view, these events have become important connectors linking rural culture, local economies, and community governance.

She proposed creating distinct events rooted in local customs, intangible cultural heritage, and agricultural traditions – for example, a "spring plowing marathon" or "autumn harvest cycling race".

Strengthening infrastructure is essential, she added, calling for multifunctional sports parks, improved rural transport, and flexible combinations of temporary and permanent facilities.

Liu stressed that the long-term value of sports events lies in their ability to generate real economic benefits. By linking competitions with agricultural product fairs, cultural-tourism experiences, livestreams, and creative digital content, villages can turn visitor enthusiasm into sustained income growth and stronger cultural identity. She also highlighted the need to train local professionals and build volunteer systems to ensure long-term sustainability.