Olympic Champion's Name Fuels Debate in Chinese Sports Recruitment Drive
The Zhejiang Provincial Sports Bureau recently announced its plan to publicly recruit 30 staff members for its affiliated institutions, sparking a heated discussion on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The recruitment, which includes positions in various fields such as sports science, education, and medicine, has been met with criticism from some netizens who accuse the organizers of using Olympic champion Pan Zhanle's name to attract applicants.
24 August 2024
According to the recruitment notice published on August 22, the 30 positions are available in seven institutions under the Zhejiang Provincial Sports Bureau, including the Zhejiang Sports Vocational and Technical College, the Zhejiang Province Shooting and Archery Administration Center, and the Zhejiang Sports Science Research Institute. The positions range from bodyguards to language teachers, and the majority of them require applicants to have a master's degree or above.
The recruitment notice has been widely shared on Weibo, with many users expressing their interest in applying for the positions. However, some netizens have criticized the organizers for including Pan Zhanle's name in the recruitment notice, accusing them of trying to "ride the wave" of the Olympic champion's popularity.
"He is already very low-key, why do you need to mention his name?" wrote @潘展乐的事业编同事招人了#, one of the users who commented on the recruitment notice. "Recruitment should be handled normally, without using someone's name to attract attention."
Another user, @潘展乐的事业编同事招人了#, joked that the recruiters must be desperate for applicants, writing: "Are you really lacking people that much? You have to use Pan Zhanle's name to attract attention?"
However, some users defended the decision to include Pan Zhanle's name, arguing that it is a way to promote the recruitment and attract more young people to work in the sports industry. As @潘展乐的事业编同事招人了# wrote: "This is a good way to promote the recruitment, and it's not a bad thing to mention Pan Zhanle's name. It can inspire more young people to work in the sports industry."
The recruitment notice has also sparked a discussion about the challenges of working in the sports industry in China. As @潘展乐的事业编同事招人了# pointed out, the positions are not well-paid, and the working conditions can be tough. "It's not easy to work in the sports industry in China, especially when you're not a professional athlete," the user wrote.
Despite the challenges, many users expressed their enthusiasm for the recruitment, with some sharing their own experiences of working in the sports industry. As @潘展乐的事业编同事招人了# wrote: "I used to work in a sports school, and it was a great experience. I hope to apply for one of the positions this time."
The recruitment notice has also highlighted the growing interest in sports education and science in China, as the country ramps up its efforts to become a sporting powerhouse. As @潘展乐的事业编同事招人了# wrote: "China needs more professionals in the sports industry, and this recruitment is a good opportunity for young people to get involved."
Overall, the recruitment notice has sparked a lively discussion on Weibo, with many users debating the merits of using Pan Zhanle's name to attract applicants, and the challenges and opportunities of working in the sports industry in China. As @潘展乐的事业编同事招人了# wrote: "This is a good chance for young people to get involved in the sports industry, and we should support and encourage them."