Sports enrich the lives of senior citizens. The development of senior sports is crucial to their physical and mental health, and also an important part of improving people’s livelihood and building a harmonious society. On May 26, the 8th Member Congress of Qingtian Senior Sport Association was held. Representatives from grassroots senior sports associations, special teams and relevant government departments gathered to discuss the future direction of senior sports development.
At the congress, delegates reviewed the work report and financial report of the 7th Council. The 8th Council and the new Board of Supervisors were elected through democratic voting. Outstanding representatives of the association were also commended. Cao Jie, a newly elected council member, said he would design more cultural and sports activities tailored to the actual needs of the elderly and deliver dedicated services.
Since 2017, Qingtian Senior Sport Association has centered all its work on the needs of the elderly. It has steadily consolidated the foundation for senior sports development and enriched their cultural and recreational life, encouraging more seniors to step out of their homes to exercise. These efforts have effectively enhanced their sense of happiness and fulfillment.
The county has continuously improved its organizational structure and built a three-tier interconnected senior sports service network covering county, township and village levels. Supported by branch associations in all towns and subdistricts, the network streamlines service delivery and realizes resource sharing and coordinated operation. The association was accredited as a 4A-level social organization in 2019 and 2024, and named Provincial Advanced Unit for Senior Sports in 2021, a full recognition of its fruitful work.
In terms of activities, the association adheres to a dual approach of internal and external engagement. Since 2017, it has organized enthusiasts to participate in 2 national, 6 provincial and 180 municipal competitions, showcasing the elegant demeanor of local seniors through sports exchanges. Locally, it regularly holds recreational activities such as gateball, soft volleyball, Tai Chi and Chinese chess, fostering a sound atmosphere for national fitness.
To meet the fitness needs of the elderly, the county has continuously upgraded sports infrastructure. It has built a number of new professional sports venues and completed standardized renovation of some gateball and soft volleyball courts. All venues are designed to be safe, practical and comfortable, enabling seniors to exercise conveniently close to home.
Looking ahead, Qingtian Senior Sport Association will continue to uphold the people-oriented service philosophy. It will focus on the most pressing, immediate and practical fitness needs of the elderly, continuously shore up service weaknesses and optimize the service system. The association will further deepen age-appropriate sports services, diversify silver-age cultural and sports activities, and improve supporting facilities at fitness venues. It will precisely meet the diverse and high-quality fitness demands of the elderly, and give full play to the role of sports in actively responding to population aging and building a Healthy Qingtian.