Yunfu, a city in Guangdong province traditionally known for its stone carving industry, has established a new identity as a national field hockey hub after hosting the tournament for the 15th National Games. Between October 30 and November 15, the city's specially built stadium welcomed 18 teams and 479 athletes, drawing nationwide attention to a region often overshadowed by its larger neighbors.
The venue, which holds the International Hockey Federation's top "Global Elite" certification, features the same turf used at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Its construction was part of a broader urban renewal effort that included upgraded roads, new green corridors, and enhanced public spaces throughout the city center.
Field hockey is not new to Yunfu. For more than two decades, the city has nurtured players through rural school programs, producing stars like Chen Qijun, captain of the national men's team. Today, Yunfu accounts for more than half of all registered hockey players in Guangdong province. The National Games amplified this legacy—16 Yunfu-born athletes competed, nine of them representing Guangdong.
The event also showcased local culture. During breaks, performers staged traditional dances, while stadium sculptures combined hockey themes with Yunfu's distinctive stone-carving techniques.
To ensure smooth operations, the city deployed 332 trained volunteers, arranged 40 dedicated shuttle buses, and launched seven new bus routes to the venue. A "Level 4 emergency response system" managed scenarios ranging from medical incidents to traffic control. Restaurants and hotels near the stadium extended their hours, and shops sold hockey-themed souvenirs.
Looking ahead, officials say the goal is to make sports a lasting engine for tourism and investment.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
