The 11th Sichuan Provincial Games, the first comprehensive sports event in Sichuan after the 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake, will be grandly held at the city of Zigong on August 9. 21 delegations from 21 cities and autonomous prefectures of the province will compete for 616 gold medals in 23 sports, 496 events. More than 9000 athletes, team captains, coaches and staffs are expected to participate in the Games.
In 2006 the provincial government decided that the Provincial Games should be held on the basis of bidding. In June of the same year, Zigong city won out over other 5 bid cities and became the first city that acquired the right to host the Games since the new measure was introduced.
According to the requirements of the Provincial Party Committees and the Provincial Government, Zigong insists on the policy of holding a grand sports event for Sichuan and a joyous festival for Zigong , focusing on the requirement of providing first-class environment, first-class planning and first-class service . All the preparatory work for the Games are advanced under the principle of meeting high standards yet cautious in spending money and the guideline of led by the government, participated by the society, operated by the market and integrating sources .
To secure the success of the Games, Zigong has prepared one Event Center, six municipal venues and six venues in districts and counties. In addition, nearly RMB 250 million has been invested in the renovation of 30 streets, 9 city-nodes and main-street facades. The investment also goes into the landscaping of 39 roads and 70 city-nodes, and the Decoration Project of the Provincial Highway 305 line. In Zigong, afforested areas have increased by 17.7 thousand mu and the illuminating facilities alongside main streets in downtown have been repaired or replaced.
