China to send 1,500 packs of sports equipment to several BRI countries

China will send 1,500 packs of sports equipment to rural schools in several countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. (Photo provided to China Daily)

China will send 1,500 packs of sports equipment to rural schools in several countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to support physical education programs in beneficiary schools and help children realize their sports dreams.

The first batch of sports packs will be delivered to Nepal, Myanmar, and Ethiopia in December, according to an official from the China Foundation for Rural Development.

Chen Hongtao, executive director of the foundation, said the sports equipment in the packs includes soccer balls, basketballs, badminton rackets and shuttlecocks, table tennis paddles, and training vests, tailored to the sports traditions of the recipient countries.

The launch of the upgraded sports-themed packs took place during an event celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Panda Pack Project, which began in 2019 to provide essential supplies to primary school students in neighboring countries involved in the initiative.

Table tennis legend Deng Yaping delivers a speech at the event celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Panda Pack Project in Beijing on Wednesday.

Jointly launched by the foundation and the Alibaba Philanthropy, the project aims to improve the basic learning, hygiene, and living conditions of children.

Zheng Wenkai, president of the foundation, said that as of October, a total of 1.39 million primary school students in 15 countries have benefited from the project.

Myanmar has so far received more than 506,000 packs, making it the largest beneficiary.

Saw Sandy Zaw, Minister Counselor at the embassy of Myanmar to China, said the packs have made a significant impact by relieving the financial burdens faced by families in the country's rural areas.

"For middle-income families, the start of the school year can be a big financial pressure. Providing such basic supplies for children offers great support for their needs. This allows children to attend school happily without adding stress on their parents," she said.

The sports packs, which are expected to arrive this year, will help students become stronger and enhance their sports skills at school, she added.

During the event, Chinese table tennis legend Deng Yaping was honored as the Love Ambassador for the foundation's international projects, while badminton world champion Liu Yuchen was named the Love Ambassador for the Panda Pack Project.