The 7th Hainan Minority Traditional Sports Games are set to kick off in Sanya and Lingshui Li autonomous county on Nov 24 and will last until Nov 29.

With 1,204 athletes from various cities and counties in Hainan province registered, the event will see athletes from 20 different ethnic groups, including the Han, Li, and Miao, competing together. This year's games mark the highest level of participation and the most diverse range of competitions in the history of the province's minority traditional sports games.

A total of 17 events and 111 sub-events have been scheduled for the competition, including firecrackers, pearl balls, wood balls, and football.

During the press conference held on Sept 27, the organizing committee unveiled the emblem and mascot for this year's games.

The emblem was inspired by the number "7" and symbolizes the rapid development of Hainan's ethnic sports industry. It incorporates the totem elements of the Li ethnic group, representing the successful hosting of the games and the flourishing free trade port of Hainan.

The mascot, named "Aji," is based on the auspicious "Gangong Bird" from Li folklore, which is a symbol of good luck for the people of Hainan. Aji, dressed in a traditional black, red, and white Li costume, spreads its wings in an embracing posture, symbolizing the people's longing for a bright future in the Hainan Free Trade Port and their high hopes for the games.

The torch relay for the 7th Hainan Minority Traditional Sports Games will be held in Sanya on Oct 28. The torch is crafted in the shape of a torch commonly used by the minority groups, with the flame-shaped torch mouth and decorated with Li brocade patterns.

The Hainan Minority Traditional Sports Games has been held every four years since their inception in 1994. They serve as an important sporting event in promoting the outstanding traditional culture of the Chinese nation, showcasing the achievements of Hainan's minority regions, and advancing ethnic unity and progress.

The mascot Aji of the 7th Hainan Minority Traditional Sports Games. [Photo/Sanya Daily]