Macau is going to develop itself into a sports center

“Whenever you walk through the Reservoir Park or climb the Guia Hill Fitness Trail, you always see people running, exchanging cheerful morning greetings or offering words of encouragement. The atmosphere of health, optimism and harmony is infectious and leaves a lasting impression. impression of the city,” said a man named Lin from mainland China who works in Macao.

In its policy speech for the 2024 budget year, the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) government highlighted plans to develop the city into a sports hub.

Cars racing during the 71st Macau Grand Prix. (Photo from Macau Government Tourist Office)

Ho Iat Seng, General Manager of the Macau SAR, said the SAR aims to organize at least two international sporting events every month, creating Macau-branded sporting events that will attract visitors from all over the world.

This initiative further enriches Macau's role as a world center of tourism and leisure, giving its offering a more active and vibrant character.

The 71st Macau Grand Prix recently concluded and attracted more than 100,000 spectators. A flagship event known for its unique urban circuit, the race has been held continuously for more than 70 years since its inception in 1954 and is a vivid representation of Macau's “sports hub” ambitions.

It's not just about the racing event; tennis, volleyball, basketball, golf and snooker tournaments take center stage all year round, delighting audiences with non-stop excitement. Recent sporting events such as table tennis and women's volleyball matches have sold out tickets almost immediately.

Huang, a table tennis enthusiast from Chengdu, in China's southwestern Sichuan province, got her tickets early and traveled to Macau specifically for the games. “Macao is a perfect mix of warmth and modernity. Watching matches here is so comfortable and enjoyable. It's absolutely fantastic!” she shared.

The Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon 2024 will be held in Macao, December 1. (Photo from the official account of the Beijing Office of the Macau SAR Government on WeChat)

Around 8 a.m., Zhou Xinghua, a member of Macau's Guia Hill Morning Walk Good Friends Association, started her day with a warm-up and stretching exercises before hitting the track. Zhou doesn't just run alone; she also encourages her fellow runners to join her.

Macau's vibrant community culture is strongly reflected in its sports clubs, which serve as a hallmark of local involvement. According to the latest statistics, of the approximately 12,000 associations in Macau, almost 2,000 are sports-related, spread across 45 categories, including handball, billiards, boxing, cycling and bodybuilding. These organizations play an important role in promoting grassroots participation in sporting activities.

The Healthy Macao Blueprint, a plan to make Macao a healthy city, was launched on July 16 this year. During the launching ceremony, representatives from various Macau SAR government departments and associations participated in stretching exercises, following videos and guided by on-site instructors.

This innovative and practical approach underlined a key message: building Macau into a sports hub starts with people. When everyone is involved, the city naturally flourishes with health and vitality.

To mark the opening of the Macau Bridge on September 29, a brisk walking activity will be held, with approximately 21,000 citizens participating. (Photo from the official account of the Beijing Office of the Macao SAR Government on WeChat)

Professional athletes need professional facilities, and public participation in sport often depends on accessible and sufficient locations. According to the Sports Bureau of the Macau SAR Government, the SAR has 40 public sports and fitness facilities. These include specialist venues such as swimming pools, shooting centres, tennis courts and basketball courts, as well as multi-purpose facilities such as sports halls, arenas and fitness centres.

Strolling around Macau, you can easily find free gyms by the sea, in community gardens and parks, as well as large locations near residential areas. Even the paid facilities are very affordable, which encourages residents to take up fitness in their spare time.

In recent years, the Macao SAR government has made significant efforts to improve service delivery. For example, the “Macao One Account” mobile app provides easy access to information about sports venue opening hours, ticket purchases, reservations and event updates. The app also provides insight into sports medicine, opportunities to participate in community fitness classes, and other resources.

“The Macao Sports Development Fund provides annual financial support for the routine expenses of the Federation of Macao Sport General Association and its affiliated sports associations,” an official from the Macao Sports and Olympic Committee said.

“This includes funding for organizing competitions, hiring coaches and covering operational costs to ensure that sports clubs can function smoothly and engage the public effectively,” the official said.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)