Big potential for table tennis venue at the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games

Render of the Chengdu High Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium CHENGDU— With the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games preparations underway, construction for the table tennis venue — better known as the Chengdu High Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium — is almost complete.

Named as Chengdu’s ‘one stop’ multifunctional sports centre, the Chengdu High Tech Zone Sports Centre covers an astounding 201,600 square meters and is divided into two sections. One section is host to a multifunctional gymnasium, while on the other side is big enough to hold a public fitness gymnasium, service center and even open-air sports fields. The facility was built to meet the needs of citizens playing all kinds of sports, including badminton, swimming, football and softball. Not only does this venue cater to sports men and women, but there is also space for shopping enthusiasts as well, with the addition of their very own shopping mall.

During the FISU World University Games in 2021, this venue will be home to all table tennis tournaments and is complete with 83,000 square meters of competition space in addition to space for more than 12,000 spectators.

The legacy of the venue will run strong in the heart of Chengdu, becoming the first basketball gymnasium in Sichuan Province of NBA standards. This is big news for Sichuan Province as they can not only hold NBA preseason games, but also meet requirements for national-level and international single-sport competitions such as volleyball and gymnastics.

Also with the capability to turn the venue into a large ice rink within 24 hours, this means that Chengdu can host winter sports events such as ice hockey and short track speed skating competitions—truly making this a promising venue for Chengdu for years to come.

In addition, missing the sport action will be very hard in this venue. Eight large screens surround the perimeter within the building, displaying all Games results and videos simultaneously all year round. This makes it easy for venue operators to turn this venue into a large concert hall, or even a Broadway style theatre for theatrical performances.     

Not only are preparations for the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games well underway, but preparations for the legacy of the Games are already being made even before the Games have begun. Ensuring the healthy future for all Chengdu citizens, it seems the FISU World University Games is just the beginning of a positive legacy for the city of Chengdu and Sichuan Province.