Urumqi, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Located in the Hotan region of Xinjiang at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains, it is accompanied by the Taklamakan Desert. In recent years, youth sports have been vigorously promoted here, and now the campus can not only hear the sound of reading aloud, but also the sound of cheering on the court. Local young people of all ethnic groups also work together on the sports field, shouting and fighting, constantly broadening their life paths and pursuing their dreams.
From scratch ignite passion
In the afternoon, on the volleyball court of the No. 2 Central Primary School of Yiliqi Township, Hotan City, Mayire Abduspur was practicing smashing and passing the ball under the leadership of the coach. In 2019, the school formed a volleyball team for the first time. In the past few years, "there is a team in every class, there is a game every month, and everyone has a ball" has become a business card of the school, and the campus volleyball atmosphere has become stronger and stronger.
Mayire, who was introverted and lacked self-confidence in the past, now takes the initiative to shout loudly to his teammates from time to time on the field, and his academic performance has not only not been delayed because of training, but has improved. Her love for volleyball is also supported by her parents. Led by Mayire, her two younger sisters also joined the school volleyball team.
A local cadre said that it is of great significance for young people in southern Xinjiang to build a platform to fully carry out school sports, not only to strengthen their physical fitness, but also to guide them to establish a positive outlook on life during the critical period of their growth. A variety of youth events have been held to drive more children to participate.
In March this year, the first Hetian Youth Basketball League officially started. Every weekend, teams from more than 20 local middle and high schools work the basketball court and form deep friendships.
Gou Junkai, director of the Hotan Regional Cultural and Sports Venues Service Center, said that the successful holding of the event has greatly promoted the atmosphere of basketball. Walking down the street, you can see groups of children holding basketballs, and basketball courts are becoming a popular destination for teenagers to take a weekend break.
Multi-party cooperation to help soar
The economic development level of Hotan is not high, but with the help of Beijing, Tianjin and other counterpart provinces, cities and enterprises in Xinjiang, new campuses and sports venues have risen from scratch. The children bid farewell to the mud playground covered with yellow sand in the past, and can train and compete in the flat and open formal field from an early age. In addition, the sports and education authorities at all levels of the central government and the autonomous region have also provided special funds and training support in various forms to help stimulate the vitality of campus sports in southern Xinjiang.
In 2021, China Southern Airlines Group Co., Ltd. invested 58 million yuan to build China Southern Airlines Pearl Primary School in Moyu County, the recipient of the aid, which uses football as the starting point to enliven the campus atmosphere and cultivate students' spirit of hard work, enterprising, unity and cooperation.
Yu Bo, vice principal of the school, said that in the past few years, China Southern Airlines has also promoted foreign exchanges for the school many times, signed up for national youth football tournaments, and provided free air tickets for the team, so that children can go farther and see farther scenery than their parents in the initial stage of life.
10-year-old Adilijan Tudimaiti once went to Beijing with the team to exchange ideas with primary school students in the capital. He told reporters that this summer, he will also go to Rongjiang, Guizhou Province as a representative to participate in the "Village Super" series of competition training activities.
"I like Wu Lei of the national team very much, and his style of play is very similar to him." Adilijiang said, "I hope that one day, I can also represent China and score goals in the tournament like him." ”
Broaden the road and pursue the dream of the future
Despite its remote location, school sports are broadening the path of life for local children, who are stepping out of the desert and onto a broader stage of life.
Since 2007, Alimujan Abdulimiti has returned to his alma mater to work as a football coach at Luopu County No. 2 Middle School. He firmly believes that every child has the right to play football, despite their different talents.
"Some kids want to go to college by playing football, some want to go to the professional team, and some just play football as a hobby." "No matter what they think, all we have to do is to protect them and help the children achieve their dreams." ”
In Luopu County No. 1 Middle School, the school focuses on cultural learning with one hand and basketball characteristic teaching with the other. Since 2020, 7 team members have been admitted to key universities such as Beijing Sport University and Shihezi University. The success of the predecessors continues to inspire the younger brothers and sisters.
"I often watch short videos, and I am attracted by Hangzhou's West Lake and beautiful urban environment." Akelijan Maimaiti, a member of the school team who has just entered the first year of high school, has already set his ambition, "One day, I hope that I can also study at Zhejiang University." ”