Chengdu world Games: Soft Hockey Venue Nears Completion
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As the 2025 Chengdu World Games approach, anticipation is building for a variety of sports, including soft hockey. This fast-paced, dynamic sport demands a top-notch venue, and organizers are putting the finishing touches on the Xiangcheng Sports Center to meet those needs.
The Xiangcheng Sports Center’s basketball stadium is undergoing a notable transformation to host the soft hockey competition.The renovation focuses primarily on optimizing the lighting and power systems, ensuring a radiant and safe surroundings for the athletes.In a nod to fiscal responsibility, organizers have opted to lease 95% of the materials used in the renovation.
Inside the Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Center, workers are diligently installing and debugging the new lighting system. According to Jiang Zhifang, an asset department staff member of Chengdu Xiangcheng investment Group Co., Ltd., the venue requires a specific level of illumination for soft hockey. The illumination in the venue must reach 25 according to the regulations.
After careful calculations, approximately 70 lights will be installed to achieve the desired brightness.
The renovation extends beyond lighting, encompassing indoor partition walls, floor treatments, and temporary structures. The original venue rooms are being utilized, with 615.43 square meters undergoing temporary renovation and an additional 437.96 square meters of temporary construction added. Existing buildings are being adapted to create functional partitions.
To enhance the flow and efficiency of the event, the venue layout has been meticulously optimized. For example, the warm-up area has been relocated from the badminton hall to the third floor of the basketball hall.
Currently, the soft hockey stadium renovation is approximately 95% complete, with an expected completion date by the end of the month. The event lighting is 70% renovated, with wiring and lamp installation underway. Civil construction is also nearing completion.
The Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Center has a proven track record of hosting prosperous events, including the 2022 National Women’s Water Polo Championship and the China College Basketball League Finals. During the Chengdu World Games, the venue will host 36 soft hockey games, with 2 gold medals up for grabs.
What is Soft Hockey?
Soft hockey, also known as floor cricket, fleece, or dryland ice hockey, originated in the United States in the 1950s. think of it as a cross between ice hockey and field hockey, played indoors on a hard surface. It’s a team sport that emphasizes skill, strategy, and teamwork.
Soft hockey made its World Games debut in 1997 and has been growing in popularity ever as. It’s a great alternative for athletes who don’t have access to ice rinks or prefer a less physically demanding sport than traditional ice hockey.
Chengdu World games Soft Hockey Details
The Chengdu World Games will feature both men’s and women’s soft hockey team competitions. A total of 224 athletes will participate, with 8 teams each for men and women. Each team consists of 14 athletes, with 6 players on the court during the game.
The competition venue measures 40 meters by 20 meters and features a hard floor surface, such as wood or plastic.Games are divided into three 15-minute periods, with 10-minute intermissions between periods.
Players use lightweight carbon fiber or composite sticks to control a 72 mm diameter ball, aiming to score goals. The team with the most goals at the end of regulation time wins.
If the score is tied after regulation, a 10-minute overtime period is played. The first team to score in overtime wins the game. If the score remains tied after overtime,a penalty shootout determines the winner.
Athletes wear professional sportswear and non-slip shoes. Goalkeepers wear full protective gear, while other players do not require additional protection.
The Future of Soft Hockey
As the Chengdu World Games approach, soft hockey is poised to gain even more recognition on the global stage. Its accessibility and exciting gameplay make it a sport with significant potential for growth, especially in regions where ice hockey is not as prevalent.Could we see soft hockey become a mainstream sport in the U.S.? Only time will tell,but the Chengdu World games could be a major turning point.
Soft Hockey: A Glance at the Chengdu World Games
The Chengdu World Games are fast approaching, and the soft hockey competition promises to be a highlight. To give you a better understanding of this exciting sport and its presentation at the games, we’ve compiled key facts in the following table.
Key Data Points: Chengdu World Games Soft Hockey
| Feature | Details |
|———————–|—————————————————————————————————————————————-|
| Venue | Xindu Xiangcheng Sports center (basketball stadium change) |
| Renovation Focus | Lighting (70 lights installed to reach an illumination level of 25), indoor partition walls, floor treatments, temporary structures. |
| Games | 36 games |
| Medals up for Grabs | 2 Gold Medals |
| Teams | Men’s and Women’s Teams |
| Athletes | 224 (14 athletes per team, 6 on court at a time) |
| Playing Surface | Hard floor (wood or plastic) |
| Game Duration | 3 x 15-minute periods, 10-minute intermissions. |
| Equipment | Lightweight sticks (carbon fiber/composite),72mm ball,sportswear,non-slip shoes. Goalkeepers wear protective gear. |
| Overtime | 10-minute sudden death overtime. penalty shoot-out if the score is still tied. |
Expert Insight: The strategic relocation of the warm-up area, combined with the focus on energy-efficient lighting, reveals a intentional effort to optimize the athlete experience and operational efficiency, a hallmark of a well-planned international sporting event.
To further enhance your understanding and address any potential questions, we have created the following frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Soft hockey and the Chengdu World Games
Q: What is soft hockey?
A: Soft hockey, also referred to as floor hockey or dryland ice hockey, is a team sport resembling a fusion of ice hockey and field hockey, played indoors on a hard surface. It emphasizes teamwork, skill, and strategic gameplay.
Q: When did soft hockey make its debut at the World Games?
A: Soft hockey first appeared at the World Games in 1997 and has grown in popularity since.
Q: Where will the soft hockey competition take place during the Chengdu World Games?
A: The soft hockey matches will be held at the Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Center in Chengdu. The venue, a repurposed basketball stadium, is undergoing renovation to meet the specific requirements of the sport.
Q: How many athletes are participating in the soft hockey competition?
A: A total of 224 athletes will be competing in the both men’s and women’s soft hockey events during the Chengdu World Games.
Q: How is a game of soft hockey played?
A: Games are divided into three 15-minute periods with a 10-minute break in between. Each side gets three periods to score more goals than their opponent. In case of a tie, a 10-minute “sudden death” overtime period is played. If the score remains tied after overtime, a penalty shootout determines the victor.
Q: What is the playing surface like in soft hockey?
A: Soft hockey is played on a hard floor surface,typically made of wood or plastic.
Q: What kind of equipment do the players use?
A: Players utilize lightweight sticks made of carbon fiber or composite, a 72 mm diameter ball, and wear sportswear as well as non-slip shoes. Goalkeepers are outfitted with complete protective gear.
Q: How is the venue being prepared for the soft hockey competition?
A: The main efforts are focused on updating the lighting and infrastructure. Renovations include new lighting systems, interior partition walls, floor treatments, and the addition of temporary structures. Approximately 70 lights will be installed to meet specific illumination guidelines. The lighting and the civil construction are nearly complete, signifying a swift transformation of the basketball stadium into soft hockey’s grand stage. The soft hockey stadium renovation is approximately 95% complete.
Q: Is soft hockey a growing sport?
A: Yes! it’s gaining notable recognition globally and offers a great alternative for athletes who may not have access to ice rinks or prefer a less demanding sport than customary ice hockey.
Q: What makes the Chengdu World Games significant for soft hockey?
A: The Chengdu World Games provide a major platform for soft hockey. Enhanced awareness and engagement in the games could play a huge part in the sport’s global recognition and perhaps help to establish it as a mainstream sport, especially in new markets.
Author’s Note: As a sports journalist with over a decade of experience covering international events, I am excited to see soft hockey showcased at the Chengdu World Games. The renovations at the Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Center demonstrate a commitment to providing athletes with a premier experience. I will be following the progress of the games with great interest.
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