2002 was a wonderful year for football in China. The nation was enthralled as the national team headed off to the World Cup and Chinese players graced teams in the premier leagues of Europe. So what went wrong? Everyone with a passing interest in football in China has their opinion but one thing is for sure, it’s about to change.
The government in China have had enough and have decided it’s time to take the most popular sport in the world more seriously and the country has a football daft President to thank for it.
Last November Xi Jinping, who himself played football in his youth, announced football would become a compulsory part of the national curriculum in Chinese schools.
Education official Wang Dengfeng said improving the standard of football in China must ‘start with children’.
In 2016 the sport will become an option in the national university entrance exam.
The idea behind this is that parents will be happier to let their children play where they have previously been reluctant on the basis they were wasting valuable time, which could be spent studying.
By 2017, the plan is that 20,000 schools will have received new football pitches and training facilities, which it is hoped will create 100,000 new players.
The World Cup in Russia in 2018 might come around a little soon but Qatar 2022 (or wherever it eventually ends up) is a realistic target.
So while football is ready to grow dramatically in China it has already seen a massive increase in popularity amongst the Expat population of Chengdu.
The kids are alright
The Chengdu International Football Academy (CDIFA) runs a unique football coaching programme that gives children of all abilities the opportunity to get active, learn new football skills and enjoy the beautiful game.
The CDIFA have a team of soccer coaches who have been involved in football at a high level and/or are accredited to coach youth football by their home Football Association. All sessions are conducted in English and children of all nationalities are encouraged to sign up, make new friends and get active.
Classes are split into 3 main ages groups. Each age group has specific aims to get the best out of the children. For the youngest children the emphasis is on having fun and building an interest in soccer. Children learn basic fundamental techniques while having fun. In the middle age group sessions are still fun but designed to develop the individual player’s technical skills. Encouraging creativity and development of good habits on the ball are important in this age group. For older children the fun games begin to develop an end product. Players will work on mastering their technique while at the same time becoming more tactically aware as they begin to understand more about the adult game.
You can find out more information about the CDIFA by visiting their website http://www.adi-sports.com/ or calling 155 2803 2247.
More than just a game
The Chengdu International Football League is the main football outlet for foreigners in Chengdu. Since 2011 it has been offering regular competitive football. Every Saturday during the season upwards of 250 footballers from over 40 countries converge at Sichuan University Huaxi Campus to play their league matches.
The 2014 season proved to be the tightest season yet with the Championship going down to the final day of the season and the two top two teams facing off in a winner takes all clash. Deportivo Paname found themselves one goal up and one player up at half time but Footballers Anonymous pulled off a remarkable performance in the second half to run out 2-1 winners and claim the prestigious trophy for the first time in the clubs history.
In addition the Footballers Anonymous captain Sani Ellis completed a clean sweep at the end of season awards dinner going home with the Golden Boot, Player’s Player of the Year and League MVP awards.
The 2015 season is due to commence in early March and all 10 teams are currently on the hunt for new players. If you are interested in being involved then please email chengdufootball@yahoo.com or call/text 15881048205
Let’s hear it for the girls
2014 was a massive year for the Chengdu Sunbirds Women’s football team. In the 12 months they managed to rack up several firsts. They travelled to Chongqing in May to tackle the Chongqing Peppers and in November they met once again for a rematch in Chengdu. Autumn saw the team compete in the Chengdu Women’s League for the first time.
2015 looks to be even more exciting for the Sunbirds, they are constantly recruiting new players so why join them for their Wednesday practices which take place at Sichuan University East Gate pitch from 7pm or call/text 1388010064.
Football means business
The Chengdu Corporate Football League (CCFL) is a newly formed 5 a side football league that will be starting in March. The league offers companies the chance to compete against each other on a regular basis and provides participants a healthy sporting outlet with their colleagues, competitors and clients. The season will last for approximately ten weeks and matches will take place at American Extreme Sports Park on Wednesday evenings. Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to join and benefit from the team building, morale building and networking opportunities the league presents.
By MORE Sports Team
Football in China/ Chengdu
2002 was a wonderful year for football in China. The nation was enthralled as the national team headed off to the World Cup and Chinese players graced teams in the premier leagues of Europe. So what went wrong? Everyone with a passing interest in football in China has their opinion but one thing is for sure, it’s about to change.
The government in China have had enough and have decided it’s time to take the most popular sport in the world more seriously and the country has a football daft President to thank for it.
Last November Xi Jinping, who himself played football in his youth, announced football would become a compulsory part of the national curriculum in Chinese schools.
Education official Wang Dengfeng said improving the standard of football in China must ‘start with children’.
In 2016 the sport will become an option in the national university entrance exam.
The idea behind this is that parents will be happier to let their children play where they have previously been reluctant on the basis they were wasting valuable time, which could be spent studying.
By 2017, the plan is that 20,000 schools will have received new football pitches and training facilities, which it is hoped will create 100,000 new players.
The World Cup in Russia in 2018 might come around a little soon but Qatar 2022 (or wherever it eventually ends up) is a realistic target.
So while football is ready to grow dramatically in China it has already seen a massive increase in popularity amongst the Expat population of Chengdu.
The kids are alright
The Chengdu International Football Academy (CDIFA) runs a unique football coaching programme that gives children of all abilities the opportunity to get active, learn new football skills and enjoy the beautiful game.
The CDIFA have a team of soccer coaches who have been involved in football at a high level and/or are accredited to coach youth football by their home Football Association. All sessions are conducted in English and children of all nationalities are encouraged to sign up, make new friends and get active.
Classes are split into 3 main ages groups. Each age group has specific aims to get the best out of the children. For the youngest children the emphasis is on having fun and building an interest in soccer. Children learn basic fundamental techniques while having fun. In the middle age group sessions are still fun but designed to develop the individual player’s technical skills. Encouraging creativity and development of good habits on the ball are important in this age group. For older children the fun games begin to develop an end product. Players will work on mastering their technique while at the same time becoming more tactically aware as they begin to understand more about the adult game.
You can find out more information about the CDIFA by visiting their website http://www.adi-sports.com/ or calling 155 2803 2247.
More than just a game
The Chengdu International Football League is the main football outlet for foreigners in Chengdu. Since 2011 it has been offering regular competitive football. Every Saturday during the season upwards of 250 footballers from over 40 countries converge at Sichuan University Huaxi Campus to play their league matches.
The 2014 season proved to be the tightest season yet with the Championship going down to the final day of the season and the two top two teams facing off in a winner takes all clash. Deportivo Paname found themselves one goal up and one player up at half time but Footballers Anonymous pulled off a remarkable performance in the second half to run out 2-1 winners and claim the prestigious trophy for the first time in the clubs history.
In addition the Footballers Anonymous captain Sani Ellis completed a clean sweep at the end of season awards dinner going home with the Golden Boot, Player’s Player of the Year and League MVP awards.
The 2015 season is due to commence in early March and all 10 teams are currently on the hunt for new players. If you are interested in being involved then please email chengdufootball@yahoo.com or call/text 15881048205
Let’s hear it for the girls
2014 was a massive year for the Chengdu Sunbirds Women’s football team. In the 12 months they managed to rack up several firsts. They travelled to Chongqing in May to tackle the Chongqing Peppers and in November they met once again for a rematch in Chengdu. Autumn saw the team compete in the Chengdu Women’s League for the first time.
2015 looks to be even more exciting for the Sunbirds, they are constantly recruiting new players so why join them for their Wednesday practices which take place at Sichuan University East Gate pitch from 7pm or call/text 1388010064.
Football means business
The Chengdu Corporate Football League (CCFL) is a newly formed 5 a side football league that will be starting in March. The league offers companies the chance to compete against each other on a regular basis and provides participants a healthy sporting outlet with their colleagues, competitors and clients. The season will last for approximately ten weeks and matches will take place at American Extreme Sports Park on Wednesday evenings. Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to join and benefit from the team building, morale building and networking opportunities the league presents.
By MORE Team
