China’s State General Administration of Sports has underlined initiatives to develop snow and ice sports in the newly released five-year (2016-2020) development plan.

In addition to China’s ambition to promote winter sports among 300 million Chinese people, the Plan also sets the tone for the development of snow and ice sports among the general public. It will be in support of the development of recreational winter sports, such as skating, ice hockey and other snow sports. The Plan also encourages legitimate enterprises and individuals to build winter sports clubs and schools.

As well as events, the Plan also regulates initiatives to promote winter sports in schools through events and tournaments in figure skating, ice hockey, curling and snowboarding.

Liu Peng, the director of the State General Administration of Sport of China, said “the four-tier winter sports system will channel school promotions through social organizations and municipal training programmes to the highest national team level”.

"We have to diversify the development of our winter sports by cultivating more talents in our relatively weak events. To integrate social based programmes into the entire talent development system is crucial," Liu said.

Furthermore, the Plan also stresses the necessity to drive the winter sports industry and to establish a diversifying industrial chain around winter sports.

Source: Ecns

‍Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin.