Traditional sports shine as record Hubei games close

Hubei province's 11th Traditional Sports Games of Ethnic Minorities concluded on Sept 8 in Xuan'en county after five days of fierce competition.

Held in the Enshi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture, the event drew 29 delegations, with nearly 3,000 athletes, coaches, and referees registered. Organizers described it as the largest edition since the provincial games began in 1986.

The program featured 12 competitive sports and one demonstration category. Dragon boat racing and pearl ball made their debut, alongside established events such as stilt racing and spinning tops.

For local Qin Yao, stilt racing brought back childhood memories. "I played on stilts as a child, but I never imagined it would become an event at a sports meet," Qin said. "Watching the athletes move so quickly on stilts was incredible."

The celebrations extended beyond competition venues. The opening ceremony was staged along the Gongshui River, incorporating bridges and waterfront landmarks. Cultural groups from eight provincial-level regions, including Xinjiang, Guangxi and Inner Mongolia, joined local performers for street parades and public activities.

Luo Qijing, a staff member of the games' executive committee, said the event had strengthened exchanges among athletes from different ethnic groups, introduced traditional sports to a wider audience, and helped more visitors discover Xuan'en.

The county also sought to ensure benefits beyond the five-day gathering. No new competition venues were built. Instead, existing facilities were upgraded, with plans to make them available free of charge for public fitness activities after the games, according to provincial authorities.

At the closing ceremony beside the Gongshui River, hundreds of performers joined hands in a circle to sing and dance. The games flag was handed to Yunxi county in Shiyan, which will host the next edition.