Young Chinese students perform a football exercise at Duqiao Primary School in Linhai city, east China's Zhejiang province, 26 March 2015. China is
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Contributor:
Imaginechina Limited / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
W8DPD6File size:
23.4 MB (1.8 MB Compressed download)Releases:
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3500 x 2340 px | 29.6 x 19.8 cm | 11.7 x 7.8 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
26 March 2015Photographer:
ImaginechinaMore information:
Young Chinese students perform a football exercise at Duqiao Primary School in Linhai city, east China's Zhejiang province, 26 March 2015. China is to overhaul its soccer authorities in an effort to qualify for the World Cup within a decade and be seen as a potential host for the competition. At the heart of the plan is separating the Chinese Football Association (CFA) from the government sports regulator, the General Administration for Sport. The CFA will become a fully independent, non-profit organization overseeing the development of soccer and will have the power to reject "unreasonable government interventions", according to a central government directive. The central government also plans to step up financial support for the national team and the sport in general. Its key initiatives include establishing a national lottery based on Chinese soccer leagues, with revenue going towards development of the sport, and building 50, 000 soccer schools by 2025. The directive follows a high-level meeting on February 27 chaired by President Xi Jinping with the aim of revamping Chinese soccer. Xi has three goals: qualifying, hosting and winning the World Cup. Many fans are embarrassed by the national team, with the country's increasing geopolitical influence not matched by its lowly world soccer ranking. Fifa ranks China at No 83, between Guatemala and Angola.