A badminton tournament for athletes from provinces along the Yellow River is held in Ordos, a city in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo/people.com.cn]

A ceremony marking the conclusion of a two-day badminton tournament for athletes from provinces along the Yellow River was held in Ordos, a city in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Dec 29, according to local officials.

Starting on Dec 28, the contest attracted the participation of 49 teams and over 470 athletes from eight provinces along the Yellow River.

Officials said participants came from northwestern Qinghai province, Gansu province, Ningxia Hui autonomous region and Shaanxi province, as well as from North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Shanxi province, central Henan and eastern Shandong province.

According to the contest organizers, the competition was a mixed teams competition, mainly including men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.

All the teams divided into two groups: the over-40 ages group and the under-40 ages group.

The staging of the event was seen as playing an important role in promoting the exchanges and cooperation of sports, culture and tourism between cities along the Yellow River.

Organizers said it was also seen as being important for promoting the sports spirit of unity and cooperation and showcasing the ecological and urban environmental advantages of Ordos.

The tournament also promoted the development of tourism with sports, promoted the integration of sports and tourism and was seen as enhancing the economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation of cities along the Yellow River.