Research to promote public sports services

The country's first blue book on public sports services was published on Jan 18 by the Shanghai University of Sports.

More than 20 scholars nationwide attended a seminar held by the university to discuss the latest trends in the country's public sports service.

Professor Dai Jian, the lead author of the report, delivered a speech at the seminar, saying that market forces should be combined with administrative measures to strengthen public sports services in Shanghai.

National fitness has been placed high on China's agenda. As early as in 1995, the State Council initiated a Physical Fitness Program aimed at setting a target that around 40 percent of China's population will participate in regular physical exercise by 2010.

The government has renewed its efforts to promote public sports services since 2008, when the country's competitive sports reached a peak during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Contact the writer at gaochangxin@chinadaily.com.cn