On October 26, nearly a thousand contestants gathered by the picturesque Shennong Lake in Zhuzhou, Hunan, for the final of the fifth “Beidou Cup” National Youth Sports Competition, coinciding with the third International Beidou Scale Application Summit. The event, which featured elite athletes led by Olympic champion Luo Shifang, unfolded with impressive organization across various competition categories until the last participant crossed the finish line, marking a successful conclusion to the event.
Since its inception in 2020, the “Beidou Cup” has evolved into a prominent, nationwide platform for innovation in youth sports. Luo Shifang, who hails from Hunan, issued an inspiring appeal to young participants during the event. She encouraged them to actively join the competition, celebrate the joy brought by Beidou technology in sports, and embrace values such as teamwork, communication, and mutual growth, all while fostering lasting friendships and embodying the spirit of perseverance.
The competition included five categories: Parent-Child Group A, Parent-Child Group B, Junior High School, High School, and University. Participants utilized a preset app on their mobile devices, enhancing their experience with Beidou’s navigation and timing functions to complete specific tasks. The challenges combined knowledge quizzes with physical activities, seamlessly integrating education and sports, promoting a hands-on approach to scientific education alongside athletic engagement. This combination of technology and sports not only added a tech-savvy edge to the competition but also allowed participants to appreciate the country’s technological advancements, significantly increasing the event’s professionalism and appeal.
The organizers highlighted that this event utilized Beidou technology to enrich sports, foster collaboration between sports and education, and create engaging digital platforms. It served as an entertaining educational opportunity for youth while promoting a healthy lifestyle and a spirit of scientific exploration, underlining its importance and value.
After intense competition, all finishing participants received completion certificates, and awards for outstanding performance were distributed based on points, recognizing the top three in each category.
Wu Zhitong, a first grader from Qinyuan Zifeng Primary School in Changsha, shared her experience, saying, “Traveling from Changsha to Zhuzhou for the Beidou Cup allowed me to make new friends and learn a lot about sports and navigation technology. It was a truly enjoyable experience.” Chen Yanda, a student from Changsha First High School, reflected on his participation, stating, “I experienced the advanced nature of the Beidou system—the location error was minimal, leading to a smooth competition. This was my first visit to Zhuzhou, and I left with a great impression of the city. Running by Shennong Lake, I enjoyed stunning natural scenery while immersing myself in the area’s rich cultural history.”
The event was guided by the Youth Sports Department of the General Administration of Sport of China and co-hosted by the National Youth Sports Federation, the China Satellite Navigation and Positioning Association, and the Hunan Provincial Sports Bureau. Local authorities, including the Zhuzhou Culture, Tourism, Radio, and Sports Bureau, the Zhuzhou Education Bureau, and the Tianyuan District government, facilitated the event with assistance from the Hunan Orientation and Radio Sports Association, Zhuzhou Orientation Sports Association, and Beijing 918 Camp Information Technology Research Institute.
