Children play with basketballs during a national fitness demonstration in Ninghai county, Zhejiang province, on the sidelines of the second National Sports Forum from Nov 29 to 30. The Chinese government is paying more attention to mass sports development, instead of just winning gold medals at international events. [Provided to Chinad Daily]

Local residents perform Taiji during a national fitness demonstration in Ninghai county, Zhejiang province, on Nov 29. [Provided to China Daily]

Gold medals come second to healthy lifestyles as China adjusts its sporting focus, Wu Ying reports

For decades, sports officials were primarily measured by the international medals won by those under their supervision. However, times have changed and common folk now also determine the success of administrators through mass fitness initiatives.

That was reiterated at the National Fitness Program's (2011-2015) annual forum from Nov 29-30 in Ninghai, Zhejiang province. The activity was part of the second National Sports Forum, which is held in the eastern county each year.

This year's forum attracted sports officials from the initial 20 demonstration cities or districts and 30 major cities and counties involved in the national fitness campaign. Experiences were shared and ideas were exchanged during the two-day event.

Participants echoed the message given by Feng Jianzhong, one of the deputy sports ministers on Nov 23. Feng said mass sports development will weigh more in the evaluation of all levels of sports officials, while gold medals will gradually lose their lustre.

"Of course, we should excel in competitive sports, but the development pattern should be adjusted as mass sports is the other indispensable part. Some developed provinces, Guangdong, for instance, have shifted the focus to sports development at the mass level," Feng said.

As a rising sports powerhouse, China has achieved great success on the international stage and that was highlighted at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with an unprecedented gold medal tally of 51.

However, the government has also paid more attention in recent years to promoting sports among ordinary people. In addition to unveiling the national fitness programs, Aug 8 has been named annual National Fitness Day. A mass sports evaluation system in assessing the performance of local sports officials has been drawn up and will soon be released.

Although some relatively advanced provinces and cities have led in promoting mass sports, China is still struggling to make it more widespread.

Also, the idea of "result is everything" is still driving many local officials to cheat, which was highlighted when 58 athletes were disqualified before the seventh City Games last month because of fake ages; and seven former professional table tennis players were caught competing in the Shanghai Rural Sports Meet.

In February, the 2011-2015 National Fitness Program amended the previous plan, which has served as the guideline since 1995 and promoted mainly physical fitness and exercise.

According to the new plan, 32 percent of the population should be taking at least 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week by 2015. At least 80 percent of sub-districts and 60 percent of towns should have sports organizations. Also, sports facilities should be located in general urban communities and at least 50 percent of rural communities. More colleges and schools venues will also be open to the public.

Feng believes the fitness program should involve everyone every day. "I personally like table tennis and basketball. I play table tennis with my wife until I sweat every day, and I invite my neighbors and friends to exercise together," said Feng.