The second National Youth Games will take place in Shanxi during 2019, according to a press conference held by Shanxi authorities on Dec 14.

The competition is tentatively scheduled for eight to 10 days during August and September 2019. There will be 305 events in 26 major sports, such as track and field, and aquatics.

Taiyuan will be the principal city in Shanxi to host the youth games, providing areas for opening and closing ceremonies and 60 percent of the sports events, including gymnastics and weight lifting. The other 10 cities in the province will each hold one or two major events.

As it's the first time for the province to host a national-level comprehensive sports event, Shanxi has been undertaking preparations to facilitate the National Youth Games. Gyms and sports centers across the province have been refurbished or rebuilt. All work will be finished before Dec 31, 2018.

Also, the province has established related departments and commissions to advance preparations for the event.

Currently, Shanxi has professional sports teams for only 16 major sports, indicating its weakness in developing professional sports in the province.

"We will enhance training of local athletes and grassroots sports education, enrolling excellent entries for the competition. Besides, local football, volleyball and basketball teams will firstly be organized to take part in the sports games," said Su Yajun, director of Shanxi Bureau of Sports.

It's estimated that around 16,000 people will attend the event with some 8,000 athletes from 55 delegations, along with 2,000 journalists.

A press conference for the second National Youth Games hosted by Shanxi authorities takes place in Taiyuan on Dec 14. The sports event will be held for eight to 10 days during August and September in 2019. [Photo/sxgov.cn]