AusLeisure

Gou Zhongwen, General Secretary of China’s General Administration of Sport, has predicted that 2017 will be an extraordinary year for Chinese sport.

In an online message, Gou, who took up the position - the equivalent of that of Minister of Sport in other nations - late last year, wrote about how sport can help achieve China’s "two hundred year" goal for national rejuvenation.

Referring to “the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core is the fundamental guarantee for our continuous progress”, Gou set out a series of priorities to develop sport and active recreation as a “sacred cause”.

These included commitments to:

• Reform China’s systems of sport management
• Develop athlete-centered coaching 
• Implement a new cycle of the national fitness program backed by new wellness and sport participation programs
• Increase decentralisation of sport management, freeing more resources to market sport in order to lay a solid foundation for further development of sports industry
• Develop and expand traditional Chinese sports events, international sports and cultural exchanges, so as to enhance the international influence of China and its sports culture.

Guo also referenced how “sport can be pursued as a career in life”, moving to change parental attitudes from favouring academic excellence in young people that often sees recreational and sporting act being seen as disruptive to studies.

Guo’s growing importance in Chinese sport also saw him named President of the Chinese Olympic Committee immediately after Christmas. 

2nd November 2016 - CHINA APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR FOR GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF SPORTS

23rd September 2016 - IOC PRESIDENT PROCLAIMS ‘TIME OF ASIA’ AS SPORTS MINISTERS SIGN DECLARATION IN PYEONGCHANG

11th August 2016 - BEIJING TO REUSE 2008 OLYMPIC VENUES FOR 2022 WINTER GAMES

10th May 2016 - CHINA SPORTS MINISTRY ACCUSED OF INACTION OVER CORRUPTION 

16th March 2016 - FOOTBALL ATTENDANCES RISE IN CHINA AND INDIA

4th January 2016 - CHINA PLANS 2023 AFC ASIAN CUP HOSTING WITH POTENTIAL FIFA WORLD CUP BID TO FOLLOW 

9th December 2015 - CHINESE CONSORTIUM STAKE IN CITY FOOTBALL GROUP PART OF A GLOBAL POWER PLAY

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.