Page 22 - 文化旅游2024-6

21 China·South Asia

Writing a new chapter of China-Maldives friendship

续写一段友谊佳话

By Guo Yao □ 郭瑶 / 文

t 8:30 a.m., the Kun- in batches, providing over 70 days
ming Beijiaochang of training guidance. Hang Anguo,
Sports Training Base head coach of the Yunnan table ten-
Awas already alive with nis team, is among them.
nd
On June 18, the 2 “Yunnan Hand in Hand Program” Table Tennis the pleasing, crisp sounds of ping- “We have assisted the Maldivian
Summer Camp for Juniors from Maldives commenced in Kunming, Yun- pong. At over ten tables, young table tennis team in establishing a
nan. Seventeen young table tennis players and coaches from the Maldives Chinese and Maldivian athletes complete, scientific, and standard-
will train with the Yunnan table tennis team and immerse themselves in the were deeply engaged in training ized training system and provided
systematic guidance on technical
and exchanging skills.
vibrant culture and life of Yunnan. This group of children, aged essentials,” said Hang. The Mal-
9 to 17, were selected from Mal- divian table tennis team won two
divian school table tennis teams silvers and six bronzes at the 2023
6 月 18 日，“心联通 云南行”第二期马尔代夫青少年乒乓球夏令营在云南昆 through an open selection to train South Asian Junior Table Tennis
明开营，17 位来自马尔代夫的青少年乒乓球员和教练员将与云南省乒乓球队共同 at the summer camp. Minha, 15, is Championships, and three golds and
训练，并体验丰富多彩的云南生活。 attending the camp for the second three silvers at the Indian Ocean
time. “I got to know a Chinese Island Games. In late July this year,
ping-pong player here last year, and Dima Ali will represent the Maldiv-
we have stayed in touch ever since. ian national table tennis team at the
Table tennis has opened my eyes Paris Olympics, becoming the first
to a wider world, and I have made Maldivian table tennis player to
friends from all over the globe,” participate in the Olympics.
Minha said excitedly. “Even though “Compared to the previous year,
the camp has only been going on this year’s camp has significantly
for a few days, it has already left a more participants, many of whom
deep impression on me. The martial also attended last year. They gen-
arts performance at the opening erally feel that their skills have
ceremony particularly enabled me improved significantly, and two of
to directly experience the charm of them even plan to stay in Kunming
traditional Chinese culture.” for an additional 2 to 3 months of
Laavi, 9 years old, is the young- training,” Hang said.
est participant at the summer camp. Ali Nashid, a coach from the
He always wears a shy smile and Maldives Table Tennis Association,
has been learning table tennis for was on his fifth visit to China and
more than a year. “I admire Chinese was enamored with the beautiful
table tennis players Fan Zhendong scenery of Kunming. He has previ-
and Ma Long the most. They are ously led young Maldivian athletes
awesome! Although the training to China several times to partici-
schedule is very tight, I enjoy it pate in joint table tennis training
because I can practice with Chi- sessions in Beijing, Shanghai, and
nese players. In my spare time, I Hangzhou. “The training environ-
can sample the food of Kunming ments in the Maldives and China
and enjoy the beautiful scenery. If are very different,” he said. “Here,
I have the chance, I would like to the training grounds are more spa-
come back again,” Laavi said, cast- cious, the facilities are better, and
ing his eyes back to the table. the training is more systematic.
Since 2023, Yunnan has sent 13 Both the coaches and players have
table tennis coaches to the Maldives benefited a lot.”