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Asiad flame arrives in Meizhou

By Qiu Quanlin (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-25 07:59

Zeng Xuelin waves to the spectators during the torch relay. [Photo/ Xinhua]

MEIZHOU, Guangdong province - The Guangzhou Asian Games flame continued its tour in one of China's traditional soccer cities on Sunday, with former Chinese national soccer team head coach Zeng Xuelin joining the torch relay.

The relay took place on an eight-kilometer route in Meizhou, where many typical Hakka cultural and scenic spots are located. Hakka in Chinese means "visiting people".

Li Xiaoqi, a student who returned from overseas, said, "I am very proud that China has risen as a strong country in terms of economic and sport development."

Li, who has traveled to more than 40 countries and regions in recent years, is helping his father's company develop a Hakka cultural and arts center in Meizhou.

"The Asian Games flame conveys the spirit of sports and culture, and it will inspire me to do more to promote the Hakka culture," Li told China Daily.

The centuries-old Hakka culture was developed alongside the huge population flowing from Henan and Shanxi provinces in northern China to Guangdong, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces in the south more than 1,700 years ago.

In addition to the rich Hakka culture, Meizhou has become one of China's most important soccer bases in the past few decades. Many renowned players, including Li Huitang, China's "King of Soccer" in early 20th century, Zeng Xuelin and Gu Guangming, have originated in the city.

The city has helped the country develop some 35 soccer players and coaches for the national team since the 1970s. However, the sport's development in Meizhou has lagged behind since the 1990s because of financial shortfalls.

"It is very meaningful to carry the Asian Games flame in my hometown. It is the first time for me to be involved in the torch relay either in the Olympic Games or Asian Games," said Zeng, 81.

Zeng hoped the torch relay would help accelerate the city's soccer development, adding, "There should be more top players like Li Huitang to go out from here in the near future."

China Daily