Xi Jinping plans 18 football cities in pursuit of World Cup glory
President Xi Jinping, an avid soccer fan long frustrated by China’s history of failure, has announced sweeping measures in an effort to conquer the sport.
China has announced plans to build between 16 and 18 “football cities” in the next five years in another attempt to join the sport’s global elite.
It has long been frustrated by the poor performance of its national football team, which last advanced to the World Cup in 2002. The last time it competed in the Olympics was in 2008, when China hosted the games.
President Xi Jinping, an avid football fan, has expressed hope that the country can play in the World Cup in the future, which would boost national pride and add to his “Chinese Dream”.
The State General Administration of Sport and the Chinese Football Association will provide between 5 million and 10 million yuan annually ($1 million to $2m) per city, matched by 30 million yuan a year from the local government to build football cities.
The aim is that by 2025 each football city will have two professional clubs, one youth training centre at national level, several local level training centres, and one football field for every 10,000 residents, with half of the city’s students taking part in the sport.
“It shall form a good atmosphere in which the whole society cares about and supports football development,” the sports administration said.
China has already invested heavily in its football program and hired foreign coaches and players, but is nowhere near having a first-class team.
The stars of the Chinese Super League, the highest level of professional football in China, are paid handsomely.
By 2035, “football should become the hallmark of China becoming a sports power,” the sport administration said.
“There will be generation after generation of top football talents,” it said.
The Times
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