Over a century ago, the winding Yunnan-Vietnam Railway not only brought resources and commerce, transforming Kaiyuan into an industrial hub in southern Yunnan, but also sowed the seeds of football in this land. Today, sports have become deeply ingrained in the city's fabric, serving as a powerful driver of urban development. In recent years, Kaiyuan City in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture has actively explored the economic potential of sports events, leveraging them as a key engine to invigorate the city, promote industrial upgrading, and stimulate domestic demand. This southern Yunnan powerhouse is now radiating renewed vigor and vitality.
**Grassroots Beginnings: Sports Take Root** In 1910, the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway began operations, bringing mobility, cultural exchange, and modern lifestyles. By 1930, French expatriates at Kaiyuan Station formed a football team, hosting matches every three years. By the mid-to-late 20th century, especially after China's reform and opening-up, football flourished in Kaiyuan, becoming a unifying force for the community. The influx of industrial workers during the railway and industrial boom further fueled grassroots sports participation. Since 1971, Kaiyuan has hosted annual employee football friendlies, which evolved into the "Kaiyuan Xiaokang Cup Football Tournament" in 2003. Scenes of scattered footballs, muddy footprints, and workers' laughter under the sunset painted a vivid picture of Kaiyuan's railway-era sports culture—a spontaneous, community-driven "mass sports" movement.
Today, Kaiyuan has emerged as a national hub for youth football, hosting major events like the National Youth Campus Football League (Southwest Division) and the National "Sports School Cup" (Women's Division). It became the first county-level city to join the China Urban Youth Football League and has hosted its national finals for five consecutive years. Recognized as one of China's 47 key cities for campus football development, Kaiyuan stands out as the only county-level city on the list. Beyond football, events like the New Year's Day Cross-City Run, "Double Support Cup" Basketball Tournament, and "National Wushu Hometown" Martial Arts Competition have further ignited the city's passion for sports, showcasing its thriving athletic culture and fitness enthusiasm.
**Building Momentum: Infrastructure and Innovation** Under gathering storm clouds, the atmosphere at Kaiyuan Sports Center's football field is electric as the 2025 "Diligent Training" Campus Football League unfolds. Coaches like Li Jianpeng of Zhongheying Central School bark instructions, embodying the city's competitive spirit.
In 2020, Kaiyuan completed a transformative upgrade of its sports infrastructure with the opening of the Kaiyuan Sports Center. The complex includes a stadium, multi-purpose training halls, a swimming pool, and supporting facilities, featuring natural grass football fields, synthetic tracks, and venues for events like long jump, pole vault, and swimming. Enhanced seating and smart management systems streamline event operations, from ticketing to venue bookings.
Expanding beyond the sports center, Kaiyuan has built a comprehensive network of urban and rural sports facilities, including community fitness centers, school gyms, and public football fields. "Our upgraded infrastructure not only supports high-level competitions but also elevates public access to quality sports experiences," said Wang Tao, Deputy Director of Kaiyuan's Education and Sports Bureau. With 911 sports venues and a per capita area of 2.69 square meters—ranking among the province's highest—Kaiyuan has fostered a culture of fitness. In the first half of this year alone, the city hosted 30 sports events, drawing attention for its robust sports ecosystem and talent pipeline.
**"Event+" Strategy: Driving Industrial Synergy** Cycling through flower-lined lakeside paths, 727 riders from 17 provinces recently competed in the Phoenix Mountain race, experiencing Kaiyuan's scenic "mountain-lake-wetland" landscape and vibrant health culture. Such events exemplify how sports can introduce cities to new audiences, creating ripple effects across transportation, hospitality, retail, tourism, and wellness sectors.
Kaiyuan has embraced this potential, pioneering an "Event+" model that integrates sports with local industries. Strategic policies like the "Opinions on Revitalizing Kaiyuan Football and Promoting Sports Industry Development" and the "Implementation Plan for National Fitness (2021–2025)" provide a framework for growth. By streamlining approvals and attracting private investment, the city has fostered a dynamic event economy.
Diversifying beyond football, Kaiyuan now hosts marathons, square dance competitions, and youth sports leagues, catering to all demographics. The "Event+" approach links sports with tourism, industry, wellness, and culture—showcasing Kaiyuan's natural beauty, industrial heritage, and historical landmarks like the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway. This synergy has spawned a "one participant, multiple tourists" effect, boosting local businesses and creating a sustainable sports-tourism-consumption loop.
"Sports events are a catalyst for urban renewal," noted Wang Tao, highlighting ambitions to spur related industries like equipment manufacturing and leisure services. From its railway-era football roots, Kaiyuan has evolved into a regional sports economy leader, where modern venues and multi-industry integration redefine urban development.
**Conclusion** Kaiyuan's sports-centric model transcends mere event hosting, leveraging competitions as a window to showcase the city and an engine for systemic growth. The "Event+" strategy generates broad economic impact—reshaping supply chains and consumer habits—while fostering civic pride and soft power. By investing in infrastructure, branding events, and cross-sector collaboration, Kaiyuan has turned sports into a win-win for economic, social, and cultural progress.