Athletes arrive in Hainan for National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities

Twenty-nine delegations from all over China have arrived in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, for the coming 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities.

The torch relay for the program was finished on November 17 with 107 torchbearers from various walks of life participating.

"The Games can significantly enhance communication and unity among different ethnic groups," said Tian Shifang, a coach at the Ethnic Sports School of Xiangxi, Hunan Province. "Participating in the torch relay is truly exciting, and I am eagerly anticipating the moment when the main flame is lit during the opening ceremony."

The Games will take place from November 22 to 30, with approximately 10,000 athletes representing China's 56 ethnic groups gathering on the tropical island to compete in 139 events under 17 sports in addition to three demonstration sports.

The event was first launched in 1953, and is one of China's oldest national multi-sport Games.

Some events, such as equestrian competitions, have already taken place in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China.

Unlike traditional sporting events, the Games feature competitions rooted in the traditional customs of China's ethnic minorities. One highlight is the debut of the coconut tree climbing race, inspired by the daily lives of the Li and Miao ethnic groups in Hainan, who historically climbed coconut trees during harvesting.

The swing competition, which is exclusive to female athletes, hails from the Korean ethnic group in northeast China and aims to empower women by encouraging them to broaden their horizons through sport.