Huang Bowen's opening goal in a World Cup qualifier against Qatar on March 29 helped China secure a berth in Asia's final qualifying round after 15 years. The country aims to become a world leading team by 20150, said a new plan. (Photo by Wu Zhizhao/For China Daily)
NATIONAL EFFORTS BEHIND FOOTBALL
Chinese football has gone through remarkable reforms since last year. The CFA was separated from the State General Administration of Sports. The CFA will enjoy more self-governance on financial, personnel management and international exchange freedom.
"The CFA should establish the restrictive and coordinated system among policy making, executive authority, and supervision," Li suggested.
China has embarked on the youth football development program, aiming to revive grassroots football. According to the plan unveiled in March last year, the number of the schools specializing in football will expand from 5,000 to 20,000 by 2020 and further increase to 50,000 by 2025.
Those schools should arrange at least one football class each week.
"This requires a large number of coaches and teachers," said Wang Dengfeng, Director of Department of Physical, Health and Arts Education of Ministry of Education of China. "Also, we need to have enough football pitches."
Li endorsed the measures on pushing forward the football population, especially among youngsters.
"That requires the support and participation from more sectors of the society, not only the CFA and Ministry of Education," Li stressed.
German football coach Eckhard Krautzun, who had guided Chinese U-19 national team in 2005, told Xinhua last month that he believed the Chinese football would probably enter the top five in Asia, supported by its huge population, financial investment and outstanding organization.
Spaniard Gregorio Manzano, the coach of CSL club Shanghai Greenland, said that the development of youth football was the initial step for the country's football rejuvenation. "More patience is needed now and we'll see a revitalized Chinese team in the future," he said.
NOT JUST FOR LUCK
China locked a berth in the final round of Asian qualifiers after they beat Qatar in their last group match and thanks to a series of favorable results from other groups at the same time. But the seemingly accidental advancement came not just for the sake of luck.
China had been absent from the final phase of World Cup Asian qualifiers since 2004. The entry this time resulted from the country's ambitious football reform.
China unveiled a plan in March last year to improve the country's status on the world football map. The plan aims at building up effective management, more professional clubs and top-level leagues, strengthening the national teams, and promoting the grassroots football.
"The footballers cherish their professional careers, while the clubs are willing to pay the players decently," Li said. "The Chinese football is not competitive enough internationally now, but we must set a goal and a pragmatic agenda to follow up."
The CSL clubs had spent an unprecedented 317 million euros during the winter transfer window to sign top footballers in the world and the league now is much more competitive and attractive to fans.
"Clubs' progress will lead to a stronger national team," Li said.
