With its simple operation, low threshold and social attributes, Frisbee sport has jumped from a small circle to a Netflix sport by virtue of the popularity of variety shows and bloggers.
Sports that appeal to young people, in addition to being personalized and entertaining, often have a strong social aspect. The lack of expensive equipment, flexible and free venue options, and gentle physical contact have led to the rapid rise of Frisbee in modern cities.
According to the Top 10 Life Trends 2022 report released by Little Red Book, the publication of Frisbee-related content surged six-fold last year. The battle for venues for soccer and Frisbee is intensifying. Image from IC photo.
Does the soccer world reject frisbee or embrace it?
With the lack of exclusive venues for emerging sports, and the similarity between Frisbee's and soccer's need for venues, venue competition has become inevitable. Fans are less confident in booking venues, and soccer fans accustomed to venues feel marginalized.
Even famous soccer commentator Huang Jianxiang posted an article pointing out that "the problem with Chinese men's soccer lies in the lack of infrastructure, the scarcity of soccer fields, and the number of people who actually participate, especially the youth, is too small."
"China has a population of 1.4 billion, but how many children play soccer year-round? These kids may not even have a place to play soccer in the future because the soccer fields are all occupied by Frisbee players."
In Beijing and Changde, Hunan Province, Frisbee and soccer fans have erupted into conflict. The "turf war" between square dancing and basketball was also over fitness venues.
It is this conflict that has caused fans' dismay at Guoan's attempt to promote Frisbee. Some netizens believe that "Guoan's approach has disgraced the soccer club." However, there are also netizens who believe that "it is good for traditional clubs to embrace emerging sports."
However, more rational views that both public welfare and commercial sports venues should follow the principle of "first-come-first-served", and there is no such thing as other sports seizing soccer venues.
Former international goalkeeper Wang Dalei responded to the fans' controversy on the Internet, arguing that since the people who play Frisbee have paid and booked the venue, it's only natural for them to come and play, and there's no question of Frisbee seizing a soccer field.
A sports industry expert also said, "Those free sports fields were originally intended to serve the public, not just the soccer community. It's just that soccer fields are widely applicable, so most of them are designed according to the specifications of soccer fields, but it doesn't mean that you can only play soccer."
Soccer is undoubtedly the number one sport in the world, but not everyone is suited or enjoys it. There are numerous other sports available for people of different ages and fitness levels.
