Sports fuel Guizhou's rural vitalization

Tourists flock to Rongjiang to watch the Village Super League. [Photo/ddcpc website]

In recent years, rural sports events in Southwest China's Guizhou province have ignited immense enthusiasm across the province. From the Village Super League  in Rongjiang county, which attracted 250,000 visits in a single day, to the Village Marathon in Sandu, which drew 800,000 spectators over two months, these events have become widely recognized "traffic magnets".

Concurrently, international competitions such as the International Extreme Sports Invitational on High Bridges and the Asian Mountain Bike Championships have been held in Guizhou. These events not only showcase the province's diverse charm globally, but also reshape local economies.

Statistics reveal that from May 1 to 5 this year, Rongjiang received 409,300 visits, a year-on-year increase of 10.5 percent, generating tourism revenue of 408 million yuan ($56.78 million), up 12.7 percent.

Local specialties move directly from fields to venues, ethnic culture gains international exposure, and tourists flock to the province, leading to fully booked hotels, long queues at food streets, and synergistic boosts to nearby attractions.

International events have deepened global understanding of Guizhou. In 2023, the Guizhou Provincial Sports Federation signed a memorandum with Fethiye, Turkiye, to enhance bilateral exchanges.

Drawing from Fethiye's success, Guizhou has developed events like paragliding, low-altitude parachuting, and wingsuit flying in Zangke River and Anlong National Rock Climbing Park, forging the "Soaring Guizhou" event brand.

Data from the Guizhou Provincial Bureau of Sports shows that by the end of 2024, the province's sports industry has reached 31.73 billion yuan in total scale, with an added value of 13.407 billion yuan.