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August 13, 2020

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Game on! Sports are booming over China

Source: Xinhua | 00:00 UTC+8 August 13, 2020 | Print Edition

Zhang Yimeng, a 9-year-old, has been fencing for more than three years in a club in Jinan, east China鈥檚 Shandong Province.

It is not cheap: Zhang鈥檚 parents have paid 8,800 yuan (US$1,265) a year for four years.

That does not include expenses for travel, accommodation and uniforms when he participates in competitions away from home.

鈥淲e are glad that Yimeng has become more independent and confident after fencing for nearly four years.

鈥淎ll is worth it,鈥 said his father Zhang Kan, adding he will let his baby daughter learn to fence too after she turns five.

Zhang Yimeng鈥檚 story mirrors the boom in China鈥檚 sports training industry.

The COVID-19 epidemic has led to a broader awareness of the importance of sports.

So, more and more Chinese parents have chosen various sports courses for their kids during this summer vacation.

Twelve-year-old Yang Yu enrolled in swimming, diving and ski courses this summer compared with only swimming last summer.

鈥淓xercising with friends is more effective than staying at home.

鈥淢ore importantly, exercise makes me keep my weight down,鈥 Yang said after she finished training on a ski simulator.

The cost of sports courses ranges from 1,000 yuan to over 10,000 yuan.

According to a survey released by the People鈥檚 Bank of China in early July, when asked about the items that Chinese citizens plan to spend more in the coming three months, education tops the list at 29.8 percent. That was followed by medical care at 28.3 percent.

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