The 8th Hainan Province Ethnic Minority Traditional Sports Games opens in Lingshui

China News Service, Lingshui, Hainan, October 17 (Zhang Yuehe) The 8th Hainan Province Ethnic Traditional Sports Games (hereinafter referred to as the "Sports Games") opened in Lingshui Li Autonomous County on the evening of the 16th. The Games will last for six days. 1,051 athletes of all ethnic groups from 20 delegations across Hainan will compete on the same stage in 13 competition events and 1 performance event.

On the evening of October 16, the opening ceremony of the 8th Hainan Province Ethnic Traditional Sports Games was held in Lingshui Li Autonomous County. Photo by China News Service reporter Luo Yunfei

That night, in the Binhai Stadium of Lingshui Li'an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone, each delegation braved the sea breeze and entered the venue bravely. The Qianling Double Knife Dance in Changjiang, the martial arts in Tunchang Pochen, the Lijin Village Show in Wuzhishan... Each delegation showed the characteristics of various places in Hainan through their stop-in performances, vividly presenting the high-spirited style of the Chinese nation's people of all ethnic groups uniting and striving forward in unity and youthful vigor.

Subsequently, the opening ceremony of the artistic performance kicked off. The theatrical performance begins with "South of the Tide Sea" and ends with "Joint Heart and China", echoing the theme of the games. Through five programs, including "From the Mountains and Rivers", "That Touch of Red", "Together Home", "Together at the End of the World" and "Concentric Circles Embrace", the life picture of Hainan's children of all ethnic groups interacts, communicates, blends, and prospers and develops together.

On the evening of October 16, the opening ceremony of the 8th Hainan Province Ethnic Traditional Sports Games was held in Lingshui Li Autonomous County. The picture shows the delegation from Lingshui Li Autonomous County entering the venue. Photo by China News Service reporter Luo Yunfei

"I have only been in Hainan for a month. I am very lucky to have this opportunity to understand Hainan's diverse ethnic culture. The national costumes, music and dances presented in the opening ceremony of the sports games are all novel to me." Kristina, a Ukrainian student studying in the Lingshui Li'an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone, said that she is very much looking forward to experiencing the charm of traditional Chinese sports at the competition site.

"I have been practicing Duzhu Drifting for more than ten years and have achieved good results in national competitions. This time I compete in my hometown and I am more confident to achieve good results." According to Huang Shujiao, an athlete from the delegation of Lingshui Li Autonomous County, the Games is not only a grand event to inherit the national sports culture, but also a platform to promote exchanges among various ethnic groups. He hopes to make friends through the competition and make progress together.

On the evening of October 16, the opening ceremony of the 8th Hainan Province Ethnic Traditional Sports Games was held in Lingshui Li Autonomous County. The picture shows the opening ceremony performance. Photo by China News Service reporter Luo Yunfei

Zhao Feng, Vice Governor of Hainan Province, said in his opening speech that this Games is the first ethnic sports event held after the Hainan Free Trade Port was closed and operated. It is not only a comprehensive test of the development results of Hainan ethnic minority competitive sports, but also an important opportunity to promote the cause of ethnic unity and progress. It is hoped that athletes of all ethnic groups will achieve better results, demonstrate civility, hug together like pomegranate seeds, and show the spirit of children of all ethnic groups who help each other and forge ahead high-spirited. Through this grand event, we will promote exchanges, exchanges and integration among people of all ethnic groups in Hainan, so that the flower of national unity will always bloom and flourish in Qiongzhou. (over)