GUANGZHOU, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- With the referee's whistle, athletes on the court leap and sprint as their shoes' cause friction against the floor with a rapid, staccato beat. The basketball thuds against the backboard and falls through the hoop, drawing roars of approval from the crowd.

This was the scene at the women's five-a-side basketball final of the 15th National Games' mass sports competition, which concluded in late August in the city of Shantou, south China's Guangdong Province. The six-day event drew 20 teams from across the country.

The enthusiasm for sports extended far beyond the court. In Liangying Township, Chaonan District, Shantou, a public sports space located under an elevated highway has been transformed into a bustling hub of activity, attracting many citizens for exercise.

Local residents surnamed Zhang and Lin make it a point to play basketball several times a week. "The overpass provides shade, keeping the area cool and pleasant, and it's conveniently close to home," Zhang said.

Xie Huizhen, head of sports division at the district's bureau of culture, radio, television, tourism and sports, said that Chaonan has repurposed over 10,000 square meters of space under the elevated highways into a standard basketball court, two badminton courts and multiple fitness and leisure areas.

"In recent years, Chaonan District has been proactive in enriching public sports spaces, utilizing every available nook and cranny in villages and communities to build 35 public football fields," Xie added.

As urban spaces come alive, the public's passion for fitness grows. Amid the rising sports fervor, local businesses are seizing opportunities and driving innovation to capture market share.

At Shengdaan Industry Co., Ltd., a local traditional textile and apparel company, warp knitting machines and warping machines operate at high speed.

Zheng Jianhao, the company's business manager, said that the spring and summer fabrics they've recently developed, featuring quick-drying and cooling properties, are ideal for sportswear, with a monthly output reaching 8 tonnes.

Shengdaan's warp-knitted fabric production is among the top in China. Yet, a glance around the factory reveals few workers. A whole row of production lines often requires just one worker to monitor and feed materials, completing the entire production process.

"We've introduced a full-process digital management system, which not only enhances product quality but also increases capacity by 30 percent and reduces energy consumption by 15 percent compared to conventional spinning equipment," Zheng said.

Sports fuel the market, and industry responds with vitality. At the Nan'ao Karting Camp, racing karts speed along a 520-meter international standard track. Nearby, a helipad hosts helicopters ready for sightseeing flights.

Xu Yuechong, the camp's manager, said that by combining karting with low-altitude sightseeing, the camp site has enhanced its appeal to the public. "At peak times, we receive over 3,000 visitors a day, with 680 karting sessions, and our operations continue into the night," Xu said.

In November this year, the 15th National Games will take place in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with Shantou's Nan'ao hosting the surfing competition for the competitive sports group.

"We've already seen a surge in tourists trying surfing during this summer vacation. We will continue to optimize the business environment and improve services to support high-quality cultural and tourism economic development," said Tian Yu from Nan'ao County's bureau of culture, radio, television, tourism, and sports. ■