HARBIN: At Chenjin International Sports Club in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, 20-year-old Chen Shuotian attends badminton training every Wednesday without paying any fees.
“Every Wednesday and Friday, we offer free classes with a dozen autistic students in each class. Our professional coaches provide one-hour lessons, followed by an hour of free activities at the venue,” said Huang Changbin, general manager of Chenjin International Sports Club.
Established in July 2017, the club are named after 2010 men’s singles world champion Chen Jin.
After meeting parents of autistic children in 2018, Chen Jin decided to provide free badminton lessons for teenagers with autism, a programme that continues to this day.
“Charity has been an integral part of our work since the club’s inception,” said Changbin.
“In the past five years, nearly 50 students have received training and over 30 students currently attend the two classes.
Coach Wang Tianji said: “When we started, many students struggled to focus and hit the ball.
“It’s essential to be patient, encourage students, and maintain a positive atmosphere,”
In 2021, several club members, including Shuotian, won medals at China’s eighth National Special Olympic Games.
“Calming the children during the competition was challenging, but the rewarding outcome validated our five years of effort,” Zhao Qi added.
Shuotian’s mother, Sun Damei, shared her son’s experience:
“Chen began badminton training at 15, often grappling with emotional issues.
“The training gradually stabilised his mood and improved his physical strength and coordination.”
The club’s coaches employ varied training methods tailored to each student’s personality, fostering mutual understanding.
“Parents didn’t accompany their children to the competition (National Special Olympic Games), and only a few coaches led the team.
“Being apart from my child for nearly a month worried me, but the unexpected results bolstered my child’s confidence.” — Bernama-Xiahua
