A fitness venue in Putuo district, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province [Photo/Zhejiang Daily]

Putuo district in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, has in recent years been making efforts to provide better public sports and fitness services to residents.

For example, the local government invested 380,000 yuan ($52,666.87) to upgrade Nan'ao village's fitness facilities, including adding a fence to the basketball court and building a badminton court and a children's playground.

Zhu Taohong, a resident of the village, said that she can now play table tennis and badminton, as well as do fitness dancing at the renovated sports venue, which has significantly improved the quality of her life.

Authorities have also been striving to build more sports venues at primary levels, with a 34-kilometer footpath improved, and one village-level fitness square, three preferential fitness halls and five provincial fitness venues built.

In addition, authorities have held a series of sports events such as sailing and fishing competitions and a special hike to create a strong atmosphere to welcome the upcoming Asian Games scheduled for Sept 23 to Oct 8.

The district has held more than 30 sports events this year as a call to more residents to join the Games.