The great success of Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games has raised Chinese people's interest in sports.

As someone who used to play badminton on indoor courts on weekends, I have found it difficult to hire one ever since the Asiad began in the capital of Guangdong province. It is a good thing that more people are playing sports and doing regular exercise, but the problem is that there are not enough sports facilities to meet the public's growing demand.

Fitness clubs are too expensive for the majority of the people, while public parks are full of people (which is good sign). There aren't enough public sports facilities to accommodate everyone.

I felt proud of being a Chinese when China topped the medals' list at the Asiad. But the number of medals won at the Olympic or Asian games alone do not signify Chinese people's physical health. The need is to promote people's participation in sports, for which more free sport facilities are needed.

Cherry Chen, via e-mail

Readers' comments are welcome. Please send your e-mail to opinion@chinadaily.com.cn or letters@chinadaily.com.cn or to the individual columnists. China Daily reserves the right to edit all letters. Thank you.

(China Daily 12/03/2010 page9)