China's 11th Ethnic Games conclude in Zhengzhou

Photo taken on Sept. 16, 2019 shows a view of of the closing ceremony of the 11th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People's Republic of China in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Li Jianan)

ZHENGZHOU, Sept. 16 -- China's 11th Ethnic Games concluded in Zhengzhou, Henan Province on Monday evening, with organizers conducting the official handover ceremony to delegates representing the next host Hainan Province.

Athletes representing each of 34 delegations attended the closing ceremony at the Zhengzhou Olympic Center.

"It's great honor to stand on the pitch again after retiring from athletics to become a coach," said Tan Yimou, who has already represented Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region four times at the Ethnic Games.

"There are always tight, nip-and-tuck games, but we are all brothers from the nation's different regions, which comes before anything else," Tan added. "I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone again next time."

China's Ethnic Games aims to promote cultural heritage and mutual understanding among China's 56 ethnic groups. In addition to sporting contests, the event also consists of 194 exhibition events, with prizes being given to top performers during the nine-day gala.

The event volunteers were praised and presented with flowers by athletes at the closing ceremony.

Accompanied by the 11th Ethnic Games' theme song, the official Ethnic Games flag was lowered and handed to Hainan Province's vice-governor Fu Caixiang before the stadium flame was extinguished.

The quadrennial event will next be held in Hainan in 2023.