Sport is a maker of social development and human progress, that serves to embody comprehensive national strength and social civilization. The improvement of public health is an important condition for promoting national economic development and doubles as a foundation for building a harmonious society. Great changes have accompanied the rapid development of China's economy and the continuous improvement of people's living standards. However a contradiction has risen between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life. Sport for All provides an opportunity to meet these needs. The Chinese government attaches great importance to this initiative. It commits itself to further improving the function of public sport and public fitness services, as well as promoting the extensive development of sport, thus helping people to achieve satisfaction in life.
This qualitative study investigated the development status and influencing factors of Sport for All in China. Eight aspects constituted the structural design of the interview questions, finance for Sport for All, its facilities, instructors, industry, organization, information, public relations, and programs. We divided the interviewees into three groups according to their occupation and expertise, namely, sport experts and scholars, sport civil servants, and instructors. All participants had more than five years working experience. Altogether, we interviewed total of 18 relevant personnel, collecting data through online interviews questionnaires. Due to the influence of COVID-19 pandemic. Detailed statistics and qualitative analysis were then conducted. The results are summarized below:
First, main factors affecting the development of Sport for All in China include the following eight aspects: 1) insufficient investment in Sport for All with relatively single source channels, 2) insufficient sports facilities and insufficiently allocated per capita area precipitating in low public participation, 3) lack of instructors and quality inconsistency, making it difficult to provide satisfactory guidance services, 4) although development has improved over time, there is still a marked disparity compared to other developed countries, 5) lack of standardization for the concerned organizations as well as their questionable autonomy, 6) lack of comprehensive and updated information, 7) poor handling of public relations, 8) lack of effective support following past patterns of national sport programs that have not received ample support.
Second, determining the priority of policy factors affecting the development of Sport for All in China. The analysis of Important-Performance Analysis (IPA) technology prioritized primary policy factors. Increased venues and facilities in schools and public institutions could expand access to Sport for All. This could also happen through increasing the number of Sport for All instructors, and improving their professional training. Stakeholders could increase capital investment in Sport for All, thus promoting the development of the industry. They could enrich and popularize the program, reflecting the needs of the public and, thus, attracting more of the public to participate. They could also establish a network among the concerned organizations and increase publicity through the adoption of new media. Thus, they could increase awareness of Sport for All and strengthen communication between various associations, thereby harmonizing public relations.
Third, develop main policies for activating Sport for All. In order to develop Sport for All with high quality, the following policies need to be emphasized and accelerated:
1)Formulate policies to expand Sport for All facilities, constantly increase Sport for All facilities, and meet the growing sport needs of the public. 2)Perfecting the professional training policy for Sport for All instructors: while increasing the number of Sport for All instructors, formulating policies to conduct professional training for Sport for All instructors and improve the comprehensive quality of Sport for All instructors. 3) Increase fiscal investment, expand funding sources, and improve policies to promote the Sport for All industry. 4) The policy of developing and popularizing various sports programs, carrying out a variety of sport for all activities, and enriching the cultural life of the public. 5) Establish a network of Sport for All organizations to give full play to the role of Sport for All organizations;Innovate and establish effective mechanism, mobilize social resources, support the development of Sport for All organizations. 6) Constantly improve the Sport for All information and public relations policy, enrich the dissemination of Sport for All information, establish a harmonious public relations of Sport for All.