Chinese Government hosts training program for Malagasy coaches and athletes in Hunan as part of the Sports Coaching Technical Cooperation Project (Linked to Record ID#60914, #72958)

On April 28, 2017, a welcome ceremony was held for 69 Malagasy athletes and 39 Malagasy coaches at the Hunan Institute of Technology, in Hengyang, Hunan, China. The athletes and coaches were there to attend a 120 day sports training program funded by the Chinese Government. The training was in 5 sports, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting, athletics, and badminton.

The Madagascar sports team was provided with Chinese coaches for training, training facilities, equipment, board, lodging, and medical care.

The program was organized by the China Sports International Co., Ltd., a Chinese state owned company, the Hunan Government Sports Bureau, and the Hunan Sports Industry Group.

According to the Madagascar Minister of Youth and Sports, the training was the result of an Exchange of Letters agreement between China and Madagascar, signed during President Rajaonarimampianina's visit to China in 2017 for the Sports Coaching Technical Cooperation Project. The Chinese Government also provided a grant for the provision of sporting equipment (see linked Record ID#72958).

The training was also a part of a push by Madagascar's government towards the fielding of competitive teams at the 2019 Indian Ocean Island Games.

Prior to the Malagasy coaches and athletes arrival in China, Chinese trainers and sporting experts flew to Madagascar to provide training (see linked Record ID#60914). The Sports Coaching Technical Cooperation Project initiative officially ended on or around February 27, 2019.