The final of gateball event, as one of non-professional competitions of the 15th National Games of the PRC, commenced on August 22 at Shenzhen Universiade Center Stadium in Longgang District of Shenzhen, and would last to August 27.
The gateball finals are being held, comprised of 6 divisions: five-a-side mixed division A (for males aged 61-70 years old and females aged 56-70 years old), five-a-side mixed division B (for males aged 19-60 years old and females aged 19-55 years old), five-a-side mixed division C ( for the 12-18 years old), team races, men’s doubles, and women’s doubles. The diverse divisions reflect the extensive participation of the masses at different ages. And, 6 gold medals would be awarded.
459 players of 28 teams in China are scheduled to take part in the gateball event. Guangdong Province delegates 32 players, including 8 ones from Shenzhen Municipality, to the gateball event. Hong Kong SAR delegates 37 players, and Macao SAR delegates 17 players to compete on the court.
The gateball event symbolizes the beginning of the 15th National Games in Shenzhen. It is introduced that 52 events of 7 non-professional sport competitions would take place in Shenzhen, accounting for 34% of the total to be held in Guangdong Province. Specifically, in the August-November, the popular events like gateball and badminton, the mind sports events including Weiqi and chess, and a series of innovative events integrating science and sports are being and would be held in Shenzhen. 2249 players and 624 professional judges are estimated to engage in the events.
It is announced that Longgang District of Shenzhen is delegated to host 6 sports events. Apart from the recycling events of The 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities & the 9th National Special Olympic Games of the PRC that have been held in July, the football event, basketball event and swimming event of the 15th National Games, as well as the swimming event of the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities & the 9th National Special Olympic Games, would take place in Longgang District of Shenzhen in the following October-December.
