Soccer field in the sky

Downtown Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi province, has a soccer field where you'd least expect it - on the top floor of a five-storey primary school building.

The Dieshanlu campus of the Primary School Affiliated to Nanchang Normal University is tucked away in a residential-community building. In 2015, the school converted the terrace of the teaching building into a 20-meter-long, 10-meter-wide outdoor soccer field, enclosed with nets and iron bars.

Every class in the school has since set up a five-member team, and more than 200 students get a chance for soccer training on a regular basis. This year, for the first time, the school participated in the city's soccer tournament for primary and middle schools.

"My dad and I are both soccer fans," says grade five pupil Fan Xiaorui. "Before, there was no soccer field at the school and I had to go with my dad to the neighboring university. Now I can play with my classmates in the school."

Zhang Taichi, the school's soccer coach, says the field has also encouraged students to study harder. "Sometimes, I tell them that if they fail tests, they will not be able to play," Zhang says. "They cherish the playing time here."

"They also take good care of the soccer field, volunteering to keep it clean and clear," Zhang adds.

Wang Hui, the school's principal, says that instead of building full-size soccer fields or basketball courts, more accessible courts are needed and will help children to develop in an all-around way.

Since 2015, schools in China have been encouraged to develop physical education. Schools in densely populated cities have made adjustments to build fields.

lijing2009@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 11/24/2017 page4)