KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 -- On Sept 15, the 14th National Games, the largest premier multi-sport competition in China, officially kicked off in Xi'an, the national capital of ancient China for more than 1,000 years.
Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is famous for its legendary terracotta warriors.
A grand opening ceremony featuring music, dance and cultural exhibition was held in the pomegranate-flower shaped Xi'an Olympic Center Stadium, according to the Xi'an Executive Committee of the 14th National Games.
During the one-and-a-half-hour ceremony, double shooting champion Yang Qian at last month's Tokyo Olympic Games, lit the cauldron.
Billed as China's ‘mini Olympics’, the quadrennial National Games, which was inaugurated in 1959, features the Olympic style programme, with the addition of the Chinese martial arts sport of Wushu.
According to a statement, the 14th National Games feature a total of 35 sports and 19 mass programmes. Over 12,000 athletes representing 37 teams will compete during the Games.
As the first national sports games held in western China themed, ‘Simplicity, Safety and Splendor’, it is an important platform and window to show the level of China's competitive sports, the strength of mass sports and the development of the sports industry.
As the host city of the 14th National Games, Xi'an seizes the opportunity to make the sports games an accelerator for the city's transformation.
Eight venues including Xi'an Olympic Center Stadium, as well as Xi'an National Games Village and the press centre will provide excellent experience for athletes, technical officials, and spectators.
-- BERNAMA
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