Students play basketball after school in a primary school in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. [Photo/IC]

The Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education and Jiangsu Provincial Sports Bureau have decided to carry out a plan to boost youth sports.

The plan requires each county (city, district) across the province to promote at least five sports. At least one basic major sport, such as track and field, swimming, and gymnastics, as well as at least one ball game, such as basketball, volleyball, football, table tennis, badminton, tennis, and hockey ball, must be included.

Each sport must be promoted in at least six primary schools, two junior high schools, and one high school in the area. Each school should have more than 1,000 students on campus.

The plan aims to build more than 500 sports communities by 2025 so as to improve youth sports skills and the overall level of competitive sports.