The opening ceremony of the 11th Liaoning games was held in Shenyang's Wulihe Park on August 8, at 8 PM. Secretary of Liaoning provincial committee Wang Min announced the opening of the 11th Liaoning games.

This is Liaoning's first comprehensive sports games after the Beijing Olympic Games. It will help prepare for the national games in Liaoning which will take place in 2013.

According to Chen Zhenggao, governor of Liaoning province, Liaoning province is a large province that does well in sports. A lot of Olympic winners are from there. The 11th Liaoning games will be a good examination for Liaoning's sports industry, helping Liaoning to better prepare for the national games. "We will encourage Liaoning people to play sports and inspire the development of a sports industry,"said Mr. Chen.

After vows taken by athletes and judges, there was a performance called “Bright Liaoning”.

The 11th Liaoning games include two contestant groups: a youth group and a social group (adults, the elderly, and the disabled). The 11th Liaoning games consist of 63 big events and 805 small events, most of which will be held in Shenyang.

Officials of related provincial departments, heads of sports delegations, sponsors and sports media attended the opening ceremony.

By Li Cheng & Wu Wei