Report tracks sports for masses

China's first annual report on the development of sports for residents across the whole country was released on Tuesday, reviewing China's mass sports activities and progress.

"The report is the first of a series of annual reports regarding sports for all the people of China. We will release a similar report each year in the future to review progress," said Liu Guoyong, chief of the General Administration of Sport's mass sports department.

Liu said that with the fast development of sports across China in recent years, people have become more interested in participating.

The report, jointly released by the General Administration of Sport and Beijing Sport University, includes a general report on sports for all in 2013, plus several reports on popular subjects.

According to the report, 19.76 billion yuan ($3.29 billion) was invested in sports for all in 2013, and 74.5 percent of that was used to create fields and facilities.

Although investment has increased, the report said, a shortage of fields and facilities remains a challenge.

Ren Hai of Beijing Sport University said the annual report will record the development of sports for all and further encourage participation by the masses in China.