Children blaze a trail for China winter sports in Xinjiang

People's Daily app2023-12-22 20:17

　　Under the dreamy azure skies and serene snowy mountains of Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Northwest China, a remarkable transformation takes place at Shuixigou Middle School during the winter.

　　Theharmonioussound of skates gliding on the ice punctuated by teachers'enthusiastic voices and theunbridled laughter of children, reverberates acrossthe school's playground-turned-skating track and soccer field-turned-hockey rink.

　　"Faster! Follow me!" screams a spirited 7-year-old studentas he races with his classmates on ice sleds, while teacher Nuerhabuli watches closely to ensure their safety."First-grade children, aged 6 or 7, are too young for skates. We let them play on the ice until second grade when they must learn to skate properly," Nuerhabuli said.

　　A young student joyfully plays on an ice sled during PE classon December 20, 2023.(Photo: Zhu Jinyi)

　　At the opposite end of the playground, another teacher is showing the fundamental techniques of speed skating to the children: "Let's go! Pay attention to your footwork!"

　　A teacher energetically demonstrates speed skating techniqueson December 20, 2023.(Photo: Zhu Jinyi)

　　On the track's adjacent side, girls and boys whizz and whoosh on the ice excitedly and effortlessly.Bahadierisa talented fifth-grade Kazakh girl who has been skating for three years.She practices roller skating in summer and ice skates in winter. "Myspeed is getting faster and faster, and it's no longer scary to me," Bahadiershares breathlesslyin the interval between training.

　　Support from families is also valuable in encouraging these young children. Wolijiasi, a fourth-grader, expresses gratitude for the unwavering support of hisfamily. "My parents accompany me to every competition I participate in and always tell me not to be nervous," he says.

　　Members of the speed skating team of Shuixigou Middle Schoolstrike a playful pose for the cameraon December 20, 2023.(Photo: Zhu Jinyi)

　　As the whistle blows, perhaps a little harshly, the ice hockey match starts. Seniors rampage across the rink, body-checking each other and vying for shots on goal while the younger studentscheerfrom the sidelines. Kaosaer, a determined fourth-grader, hopes to participate in additional competitions and become a full-time professional hockey player.

　　Students enthusiastically engage in a game of ice hockeyon December 20, 2023.(Photo: Zou Yun)

　　This school has been apioneer of winter sports education for over two decades. From there, students can joina team based on their specialized interests, whetherit be ice skating,ice hockey,or figure skating. Over the years, many talented children have excelled in high-level competitions.

　　Students gracefully skate across the ice at Shuixigou Middle Schoolon December 20, 2023.(Photo: Zou Yun)

　　The school epitomizes China's winter sports drive. Ongoing government support and publicity are rooting competitive snow and ice activities in the everyday lives of children.

　　(Zhu Jinyi also contributed to this article)