To better improve the physical condition of the general public, China's State General Administration of Sports (CSGAS) will launch the Sports Carnival -- Happy China Tour in 18 cities, with the first leg slated for February 4 in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province.

First introduced by the British, "Sports Carnival" features high-tech entertainment and sports training equipment from the United Kingdom's National Museum of Science and Industry.

Combining sports biomechanics and sports psychology, the carnival is categorized into seven themes, including 51 games, such as the 20m electronic runner -- which measures starting-block speeds, a soccer target practice device, and virtual volleyball, golf and tennis competitions.

Yan Jianchang of the CSGAS said that the carnival isn't just about games; it focuses on the key characteristics of sport, as "every game is connected to sport."

"On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the promulgation of the Nationwide Physical Fitness Program, we have this event to boost the plan and hope everyone will join in the fun," Yan said.

In June 1995, China announced a 15-year-long program to promote a healthy lifestyle through physical exercise and sport. The program aims to have about 40 percent of the Chinese population taking up regular physical exercise by 2010.

The carnival will be held in Changsha for 45 days before moving on to Wuhan, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming and Shenzhen later this year. It will end in Beijing in 2008.

(China.org.cn by Li Xiao, January 26, 2006)