IN China, skipping rope is one of the most common exercises. The compulsory item of physical education class for children and teenagers is now a fitness craze sweeping schools in northern Shanghai’s Baoshan District.

Students employ lots of variations in what is otherwise a simple rope-jumping activity. The most common is Double Dutch, where two turning ropes are used simultaneously. The district government holds competitions and grading tests to motivate students, turning what might be a boring exercise into a sport that is interesting and challenging for students.

“Compared with other sports, skipping rope requires less space and is more convenient for students to practice during their spare time and meanwhile helps to tone up the body,” says Jiang Biyan, deputy director-general of Baoshan’s education bureau.

Rope jumping is one of several sports the Baoshan government has been pushing in order to make progress in sports education. The government provided professional classes including basketball, fencing, table tennis and more to trigger the interest of students participating in sports.

The district government has spared no efforts to improve sports and push residents to exercise more.

Sportsmen in Baoshan

To help encourage students, Mo Junjie, 26, went back to his old school in Baoshan as soon as he won the gold medal in shooting at last year’s National Games.

Born and raised in Baoshan, Mo was selected to the national team in 2002.

“I’m very grateful to all my teachers. And for all the students here, as long as you have the spirit of assiduous practice and positive attitude, your dream will eventually come true,” he said during an early speech at his Alma Mater.

Some 58 athletes sponsored by the Baoshan government were admitted to national teams in various sports in 2013.

The district government keeps cultivating good athletes and has increased the size of its special fund for that purpose. Last year, the fund totaled 3 million yuan (US$485,653)

One beneficiary is Xu Xin, 24, one of the few table tennis players using the traditional Chinese penhold style among today’s young players. In January 2013, he reached the No. 1 spot in the world rankings.

Xu’s success is closely and inseparably related to the training he got at the Cao Yanhua Table Tennis School in Baoshan. In 2002, Xu came to Shanghai from his hometown in Jiangsu Province and became a student at the school.

He was not the most diligent student during training and didn’t run enough, recalled his coach, Chao Yanhua, a former table tennis world champion. Nonetheless, Xu had a very good sense of judgement which Cao noticed, and he went from being an average member of the team to the highest-ranking player in the world.

“I hope all my students here keep a positive attitude no matter win or lose,” said Cao.

Although the table tennis school is more a place for professional training, studies always remain vitally important for the young athletes.

“We have had table tennis players attending citywide mathematics competitions representing Baoshan,” Cao said. “Studies and improving sporting skills simultaneously complement each other. Learning to cultivate culture can improve the athletes’ understanding of table tennis.”

Sports venues in Baoshan

The giant Baoshan Sports Center was renovated last year and already has become the new hallmark of the district. The 81,000-square-meter center includes basketball courts, five football arenas, gymnasium, library, a cultural/sports plaza and more.

The venue also is an important place for Shanghai residents to watch major sporting events and other performances. The stadiums provide LED lighting displays and screens presenting high-definition images.

In Baoshan, it is not hard to find a place to play sports. Throughout the towns and villages, the district has 32 public playgrounds, 496 fitness areas, 22 tracks, six gyms and seven public swimming pools.

The district plan calls for construction of sports facilities near parks and other green areas.

Sports events in Baoshan

Built near the scenic Lake Malaren, the Lake Malaren Golf Club in Luodian New Town has two 18-hole courses and is the site of the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters, an annual tournament that since 2011 has attracted some top golfers.

Last year, more than 45,000 people attended the event.

With the building of a basketball arena up to NBA standards, Baoshan has held many basketball events, including international tournaments. It’s also been used as the home court for some CBA games.