Gunilla Lindberg, Secretary General of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), recently led a delegation of billiards officials to visit the newly completed JOY Billiards Culture and Sports Industrial Park.
Positioned as a high-end, fully automated, quasi-unmanned factory, the park spans a total construction area of approximately 76,406 square meters with an investment of 350 million RMB. Upon operation, it will achieve a single-shift production capacity of 70,000 units, significantly advancing the "Promoting Heyball into the Olympics" initiative.
Stepping into the core production area, the delegation was immersed in an intelligent industrial aesthetic. From precisely designed woodworking lines to eco-friendly automated spraying and fully robotic production lines, the visitors were left amazed, repeatedly exclaiming, "Unbelievable!"
As a member of the IOC's New Events Evaluation Committee, Lindberg's visit carried a dual mission: to witness the 14th Heyball Masters Grand Final and to evaluate Heyball's potential for Olympic inclusion. With Heyball now among the final four candidates vying for two spots at the Brisbane Olympics-alongside skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing-the completion of this world-class smart factory underscores Heyball's readiness for the global stage.
This inspection tour highlights Heyball's transformation from a folk game to an international competitive sport. From grassroots popularity in China to official recognition by the World Pool Association (WPA), and now standing on the Olympic evaluation stage, Heyball's journey reflects the rise of Chinese sports manufacturing-from follower to rule-setter on the world stage.🏭🎱