The Liangjiang New Area launched its first basketball training classes for more than 80 local children and teenagers on May 22, the first in a series of sports training classes to promote athleticism among local youths.

Free basketball and football training classes will be held every month until November as part of the new campaign. Professional basketball and football coaches will be invited to train local youths in preparation for physical examinations.

Talks on proper and nutrition will be held alongside the sports training to better guide youth toward a healthy lifestyle.

"The community has organized the sports training classes to enrich the extracurricular physical activities of local youth," said Zhang Qiang, Kangzhuan community director in the Liangjiang New Area.

Zhang hopes the training can continue cultivate the popularity of sports, like basketball and football, among more local youth.

According to Chongqing Neighborhood Sports Training Co Ltd, an organizer of the campaign, training classes will be held in local public schools and communities to better serve youths with an interest in sports.

The campaign will target eight communities and public school, expecting to cover 3,000 youths in local area.

Children take a basketball training class in the Liangjiang New Area. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

Edited by Zachary Dye