Core Viewpoint - The introduction of a new management model for national teams in China, specifically for cricket and squash, marks a significant reform in the country's competitive sports management system [1][2]. Group 1: New Management Model - The "entrusted hosting" model allows local sports authorities to manage national teams, transferring responsibilities for team formation, competition, market development, and international event hosting to the entrusted parties [7][11]. - The newly issued "Management Measures for the Formation of National High-Level Sports Teams (Trial)" encourages innovation in the formation of national teams and aims to standardize cooperative efforts [1][2]. Group 2: Implementation and Development - The model is particularly suited for sports with low popularity and weak development foundations, such as cricket and squash, which are newly included in the Olympic program [7][11]. - Local authorities, such as those in Sichuan and Zhejiang, are already taking steps to establish training bases and integrate advanced facilities to support the development of these sports [8][13]. Group 3: Future Plans and Challenges - Sichuan plans to build a youth training system and promote squash through advanced facilities, while Zhejiang aims to enhance the cricket program by integrating sports, culture, and education [12][13]. - Challenges include ensuring fairness in athlete selection, improving facilities, and addressing the competitive nature of these newly introduced sports [14][15].

Group 1 - The Chengdu World Games showcased lesser-known sports, creating a unique atmosphere that attracted public interest and participation [1][2] - The event featured "part-time athletes" who balanced their sports with everyday jobs, contributing to a relaxed and relatable competition environment [2][4] - The innovative event settings, such as competitions held in cornfields, emphasized a grassroots connection to the community [2][4] Group 2 - Ten brands, including Xtep, Li Ning, and Peak, strategically positioned themselves during the event, leveraging the popularity of niche sports for marketing opportunities [8][11] - Xtep was the first global partner, providing uniforms for various roles within the event, while Li Ning incorporated local culture into their designs [8][11] - Peak and other brands explored international sponsorships and targeted niche sports to differentiate themselves in the competitive landscape [13][15] Group 3 - The legacy of the World Games lies in the potential for niche sports to gain traction and sustainability in the community post-event [16][18] - The rapid growth of the frisbee community during the event indicates a strong interest in maintaining these sports, with permanent facilities being established [16][18] - The future success of these sports will depend on youth engagement and continued brand investment, highlighting a shift in public perception of sports beyond traditional Olympic events [18][20]

Group 1 - The 2025 Chengdu World University Games is bringing lesser-known sports like Faustball, Hoeball, and Soft Hockey into the spotlight, attracting more public participation [1][4] - Faustball, also known as fistball, is gaining attention as it combines elements of volleyball and tennis, with a growing interest among the Chinese public [4][8] - Hoeball, originating from the Netherlands, is seeing increased youth participation in China, with various leagues established at different levels [4][6] Group 2 - The Chinese national team made its debut in Soft Hockey at the Chengdu World University Games, with a growing youth interest in the sport [8][9] - Lacrosse is transitioning from a niche sport to a more standardized and internationalized one in China, with the establishment of a national team and participation in international competitions [9][11] - Squash, known as the "king of indoor sports," is experiencing a surge in popularity, with a 50% increase in bookings at squash venues during the World University Games [13]

Group 1: Event Overview - The Chengdu World Games showcased the vibrant potential of niche sports, bringing together athletes from around the world and enriching global sports culture [3][4][21] - The event highlighted the growing popularity of lacrosse in China, with significant participation from local teams and athletes [4][10] Group 2: Emerging Sports - Lacrosse, a new addition to the Olympic sports, is gaining traction in China, particularly in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, with Chengdu emerging as a new hub for the sport [4][6] - The NFL is promoting flag football in China, leveraging the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics as an opportunity to expand the sport's reach [10][21] Group 3: Traditional Sports - Martial arts, representing Chinese cultural heritage, are gaining international attention, with hopes of being included in future Olympic events [11][13] - Dragon boat racing made its debut as a formal competition at the World Games, showcasing its global appeal and potential for Olympic inclusion [15][16] Group 4: Diverse Sports Landscape - The World Games served as a platform for lesser-known sports like Faustball and soft hockey, reflecting a shift in youth attitudes towards a more diverse range of athletic activities [17][21] - The introduction of innovative sports facilities, such as glass squash courts, is enhancing the experience and accessibility of sports events [8][10]

Group 1 - The Squash event at the Chengdu Universiade concluded with Japan's Watanabe Sōmi and France's Clouran winning the women's and men's singles championships respectively [2][6] - Squash has been officially added as a new event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as decided by the International Olympic Committee in October 2023 [2] Group 2 - The matches took place at the Chengdu High-tech Sports Center on August 12, showcasing various international competitors [4][5] - The event included medal matches where athletes from Colombia, Switzerland, Hungary, and Spain competed for bronze and gold medals [4][5][6]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the sportsmanship displayed by Japanese squash player Watanabe Sonomi during the World Games final, where she voluntarily gave a point to her opponent, reflecting the values of fairness and integrity in sports [1][2]. Group 1: Match Overview - Watanabe Sonomi faced her long-time friend and opponent, France's Marie Steffan, in the women's singles final at the World Games, winning the first game 11:8 after a closely contested match [1]. - The match featured intense competition, with both players frequently tying scores and Steffan briefly taking the lead in the second game [1][2]. - A pivotal moment occurred when Watanabe questioned a point after a disputed call regarding the ball's bounce, ultimately deciding to concede the point to Steffan [2]. Group 2: Sportsmanship and Fair Play - Watanabe's decision to give the point back was rooted in her desire to leave the court without regrets, emphasizing the importance of integrity in sports [1][2]. - Steffan acknowledged Watanabe's fairness, noting that it is uncommon for players to challenge their own calls, and praised her for upholding the spirit of the game [3]. - The match concluded with Watanabe winning, but she expressed the pressure she felt throughout the competition, highlighting the emotional stakes involved [2]. Group 3: Future of Squash Officiating - The article discusses the challenges of officiating squash due to the high speed of the game, with ball speeds often exceeding 150 km/h, making it difficult for referees to make accurate calls [2]. - The introduction of electronic review systems in professional squash events is mentioned as a potential solution to improve officiating and enhance the viewing experience for audiences [3][4]. - The development of artificial intelligence and electronic display systems is underway to assist referees and commentators, ultimately benefiting players and the sport as a whole [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the appointment of Egyptian coach Islam Mahani to lead the Chinese squash team, aiming to develop the team into a world champion contender, especially with squash being included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics [1][9]. Group 1: Coach's Background and Goals - Islam Mahani, a 37-year-old coach with three years of experience leading the Egyptian national team, is part of a global community of Egyptian squash coaches [2][10]. - Mahani expresses pride in representing Egypt and aims for the Chinese team to win two gold medals at the Olympics, despite only two golds being available in men's and women's singles [2][10]. - The dominance of Egyptian players in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings, with both men's and women's top spots held by Egyptians, supports Mahani's ambitious goals [2][10]. Group 2: Squash Playing Style and Philosophy - Mahani highlights the difference in playing styles between European and Egyptian players, noting that the latter have developed a more aggressive and innovative approach to the game [3][11]. - He emphasizes the importance of self-belief and strategy over physical strength in squash, aiming to instill this mindset in his Chinese players [5][14]. Group 3: Development of the Chinese Squash Team - Mahani believes that China has the potential to become a strong squash nation due to its existing sports culture and recent achievements, such as winning an Asian championship [5][14]. - He has quickly integrated into the team, fostering a positive environment and encouraging players to embrace their competitive spirit [5][14]. Group 4: Cultural Exchange and Adaptation - Mahani finds cultural similarities between Egypt and China, which has eased his transition to coaching in a new environment [6][15]. - He appreciates China's strict adherence to time management and anti-doping regulations, which he finds impressive compared to other countries [7][16]. Group 5: Future Aspirations - Mahani is committed to building a strong foundation for squash in China, collaborating with like-minded individuals to enhance the sport's presence [8][17]. - He envisions a collaborative effort to shape the future of squash in both China and globally, emphasizing the need for collective action [8][17].

Group 1 - The core idea of the articles highlights the rising popularity of emerging sports like frisbee and parkour among the youth in Chengdu, especially with the upcoming Chengdu Universiade [1][3] - Chengdu has transformed underutilized spaces, such as areas under elevated bridges, into vibrant sports venues, enhancing community engagement in physical activities [10][11] - The city has renovated 87 sports parks, built 464 community sports corners, and created over 600 pocket parks, significantly expanding accessible sports spaces for residents [13] Group 2 - Chengdu's sports consumption is projected to exceed 41 billion yuan by mid-2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of approximately 9%, with notable increases in spending on emerging sports like roller skating, which saw a 22% rise in equipment sales [19] - The local commercial landscape is evolving to include new sports experiences, such as indoor climbing gyms, which have been established in 10 commercial complexes across the city [21] - The integration of sports, leisure, and culture in public spaces is becoming more prevalent, offering diverse experiences such as cafes in sports venues and pet parks near courts [17]

Group 1: National Sports Strategy - The importance of sports in promoting comprehensive human development is emphasized, with a focus on advancing sports reform and innovation [1] - The goal is to enhance public fitness awareness, especially among youth, and to strengthen China's competitive sports capabilities [1] - The implementation of the national fitness strategy aims to meet public demand and build a higher-level public service system for fitness [1] Group 2: World Games and Participation - The 12th World Games opened in Chengdu, showcasing non-Olympic sports and providing a platform for athletes to promote their sports [2] - The participation in events like the U-series squash competition has doubled compared to last year, indicating growing interest in sports [2] - New sports like flag football and frisbee are gaining popularity, offering more options for public engagement in fitness activities [2] Group 3: Local Sports Initiatives - The "Village Super" football initiative has significantly boosted local tourism, with over 4.72 million visitors and a revenue of 5.147 billion yuan in the first half of the year [3] - Local sports events are being promoted to integrate fitness with cultural and tourism sectors, enhancing community engagement [3] - Facilities for sports are being improved, with 41 new or renovated sports venues in Nanjing, utilizing various spaces for public fitness [3][5] Group 4: Infrastructure Development - Nationwide, the average sports facility area per person reached 3.0 square meters by the end of last year, showing progress in accessibility [5] - Efforts in rural areas include building sports parks and updating old equipment to enhance the fitness experience for local communities [5] - The focus is on making sports facilities more accessible and integrating events into rural areas to promote fitness [5] Group 5: Overall Sports Culture - The concept of "sports make life better" is becoming ingrained in society, with a push for everyone to participate in fitness activities [6] - The government aims to continue developing a people-centered sports industry, integrating fitness with health initiatives [6] - The ultimate goal is to build a strong sports nation and a healthy China through comprehensive participation in sports [6]

Group 1 - The youngest athlete representing China at the Chengdu World Games is 13-year-old squash player Yin Ziyuan, who recently won the U13 girls' championship at the Asian Squash Youth Championships in South Korea [1][2] - Yin Ziyuan's parents run a squash club in Shanghai and have hired foreign coaches, contributing to her development in the sport since she started playing at the age of 8 [2] - The Chinese squash team, which is newly formed, faces challenges in the upcoming World Games due to a lack of professional players and will encounter high-ranked opponents in the first round [2][3] Group 2 - The squash events at the Chengdu World Games will take place from August 8 to 12, featuring both men's and women's singles competitions with a total of 11 Chinese players participating [2] - Yin Ziyuan aims to gain experience and plans to compete in the UK Open when she reaches the age of 15, with a long-term goal of participating in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where squash will be included for the first time [2] - The head coach of the Chinese squash team, Islam, expresses optimism about the future of squash in China, highlighting the potential of young players like Yin Ziyuan who have a solid foundation in the sport [3]