Sport kick-starting local growth
Grassroots events also drawing huge crowds of fans, consumers, boosting consumption
In Jingshan, hosting events follows a meticulously planned calendar. International, national and homegrown signature events form a three-tier matrix: international events elevate the city's profile, professional events attract traffic and homegrown events solidify the foundation.
This layout is the result of decades of continuous accumulation. Currently, the city boasts over 100,000 tennis enthusiasts and 356 high-standard courts, averaging 5.67 courts per 10,000 people — ranking first among all comparable Chinese localities.
Beyond hosting tournaments, Jingshan promotes tennis via its educational system. Hubei Provincial Tennis School pioneered a joint management model between provincial authorities, the local county and the school.
Students cultivated through this system have secured 21 gold medals in international youth competitions and 293 in national tourneys.
The thriving industry has given rise to a new profession: "tennis principals", which are individuals engaged in managing tennis clubs, bed-and-breakfasts and equipment services. The industry directly employs approximately 3,000 people and provides indirect employment for 10,000.
"The core of the 'Jingshan Model' lies in respecting the natural development of the sport and its industry. It ensures the formation of a virtuous cycle of development," Wang said.
It is precisely because of this continuous, long-term and systematic dedication — supported by diverse consumer offerings and unique cultural heritage — that these cities can firmly capture internet traffic and transform it into lasting economic gains.
"Whether it be Jingshan or the Su Super League, they all rely on their own resource endowments, tap into their unique cultural characteristics and adapt to local conditions. Only such a path can ensure steady and long-term progress," Dai said.
Wang echoed this sentiment, warning against blind imitation.
"An event wildly popular in one place will not necessarily be welcomed in another. It is imperative to base initiatives on genuine local resource endowments. Behind this success is a commitment to long-term, persistent efforts," she said.
renqi@chinadaily.com.cn
