UIPM Asia-Pacific Development Centre: ‘China opens another door for world sport’

Partner organisations poised to establish a ground-breaking Modern Pentathlon facility in China have received praise from UIPM leadership after an official visit to the site.

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann and Secretary General Shiny Fang paid the city of Kunming a follow-up visit seven months after the announcement of the UIPM Asia-Pacific Development Centre (APDC). The trip was scheduled immediately after China relaxed COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions for international visitors.

The APDC, part of a government expansion plan with a total value of CHN ¥45bn (US $6bn), promises to supercharge UIPM Sports development in China and the wider Asian continent and support the global athlete community with a state-of-the-art and sustainable facility for training and competition.

The meetings from April 4-6 enabled UIPM to provide guidance about how the Centre can function most effectively as a competition venue, as well as maximising the potential of the training facility. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2023 with phase one of the project due to be completed in 2025.

UIPM President’s remarks

UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “Our ambitious partners in China have created a vision for a very innovative and unique facility, and we were very pleased to have several in-depth meetings with them when we visited Kunming from April 4-6.

“Construction on the UIPM Asia-Pacific Development Centre will begin soon, and our partners in Kunming and Yunnan Province are thrilled at the opportunity to collaborate with an International Federation that helps to protect the legacy of the founder of the modern Olympic Games and Modern Pentathlon, Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

“The Asia-Pacific Development Centre will benefit all countries in the region, enabling UIPM to significantly aid the growth and development of the sport across Asia. This project will also benefit athletes around the world, with the possibilities for major UIPM events to be hosted at this dedicated base in China. As part of a wider complex in Kunming, the Centre will create further health and education benefits for the local population.

“We are grateful to the many parties working on this project, and we met with representatives from the Yunnan provincial government, Kunming Municipality and Yunnan Wuxiang Sports Industry Development Co Ltd, as well as entrepreneurs from companies specialising in construction, IT, health and education, not to mention sports.

“After opening its doors once more to the world, China now stands ready to open another door to world sport, by delivering an outstanding facility that can become a jewel in the crown of Modern Pentathlon development.”

‘A beacon of modern architecture, technology and sustainability’

As part of a Kunming government expansion plan, the UIPM Asia-Pacific Development Centre complex will be situated in a brand new city zone alongside residential buildings, malls, commercial offices and the headquarters of the city government. The city zone will be an exemplar of modern architecture and technology.

It is also designed with a clear commitment to sustainability, and the APDC will not only be equipped to host Modern Pentathlon but also other sports events and concerts, while providing communities with healthcare services.

The APDC will help UIPM Sports to grow not only locally but also worldwide. Besides hosting top-class global, continental and national competitions and events, it will be an important training centre for global Modern Pentathlon teams who can enjoy state-of-art-facilities and opportunities for altitude training at 1,600m.

The Centre also promises to be able to host future festivals, exhibitions and ceremonies across UIPM’s portfolio of physical, virtual and e-sports events.

Besides the partners listed above, other key players in the project are China Gezhouba Group Co Ltd (construction and engineering), Central-South Architectural Design Institute Co Ltd (architecture and design), Ctrip Culture and Tourism Industry Group (leisure and recreation), and Yunnan Health Industry Development Group Co Ltd (health and medical).