SHANGHAI (AFP) - President Xi Jinping has vowed to make China a footballing force and is prepared to go to great lengths to do it, sending thousands of toddlers to "football-focused" kindergartens.
China, which has a population of 1.4 billion but has continually underachieved in football, will start trialling the kindergartens in 2019, state media said.
Citing the ministry of education, Xinhua news agency said that "each provincial-level region" will have 50 to 200 football-centric kindergartens.
"The pilot programme aims to cultivate interest in football in children through popular football games and create an atmosphere favourable for football culture to grow," Xinhua said, citing a ministry directive.
"Various physical activities tailored for kids will be held, during which children are encouraged to run, jump, climb, throw and shoot balls."
Li Jianli, director of a kindergarten in the Chinese capital, told the Global Times: "We have soccer coaches for kids who are over five and many other kindergartens in Beijing run soccer programmes too."
In October, the Chinese Football Association announced plans for 10,000 kindergartens across the country.
Â
Football-fan President Xi has expressed ambitions for China to qualify for, host and win the World Cup.
So far China have qualified for the World Cup only once, in 2002, when they failed to win a point or score a goal.
They languish at 72nd in the Fifa rankings, stewing between Macedonia and El Salvador, and have lost their last three matches on the spin.
The government is throwing resources at grassroots football, but AFP recently revealed how the game was awash at lower levels with unqualified coaches.
- Crystal Palace moved further away from the Premier League relegation zone with a 3-1 win at fellow strugglers Burnley on Saturday thanks to second half goals from Michy Batshuayi and Wilfried Zaha.
Football: Palace climb away from troube with 3-1 win at Burnley
Gianni Infantino was re-elected as president of the football governing body FIFA for a four-year term until 2023. The 49-year-old Swiss national was elected by acclamation as the sole candidate at the FIFA Congress in Paris.
Breaking: Infantino sole candidate for FIFA presidency in
Iran's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup last 16 ended as they lost to already-eliminated Bosnia-Hercegovina - BBC (June 25, 2014) Iran coach expects easy win
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Charting Vietnam's journey to the
Can Wolverhampton Wanderers be the first newly promoted team to beat Tottenham Hotspur in 40 Premier League attempts at their temporary home of Wembley.. Leave your thoughts below.
Tottenham stadium: Spurs granted extension to stay at Wembley
Rice scores first Hammers goal to defeat Arsenal. The victory in Saturday's early kick-off saw the Hammers move up to eighth in the Premier League table, on 31 points, ahead of the bulk of the
Rice Scores First Hammers Goal To Defeat Arsenal - iAfrica.com
Barcelona are closing in on their eighth LaLiga title in 11 years after Clement Lenglet and Jordi Alba both scored in a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday. The victory means Barca only have to
Barça stroll to comfortable victory with title on the brink
Premier League: Ayoze Perez Heads Newcastle United Closer To Safety Updated: 13 April 2019 08:35 IST Newcastle moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone thanks to Ayoze Perez's first-half
Perez heads Newcastle closer to Premier League safety
Women's team suing US Soccer for gender-pay disparity
Son Heung-min is no longer an invisible star. Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min attends a training session at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, on May 31, 2019.
Son Heung-min is no longer an invisible star - theworldnews.net
Tottenham Hotspur keeper Hugo Lloris insists that his side must maintain their focus to secure Champions League football despite their fine recent form. Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris warns Tottenham teammates they have no margin for
Dec 18, 2018 · Manchester United parted company with coach Jose Mourinho after its worst Premier League start in 28 years, seeking to recapture the form that made it the world's most valuable soccer team.
Mourinho heading back to the Bernabeu. Santiago Solari is set to be sacked imminently with Jose Mourinho to be confirmed as the next Real Madrid boss according to reports in Spain.
Mourinho To Be Confirmed As Real Madrid Boss Imminently
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri charged with misconduct by FA after sending-off at end of Burnley game that sparked touchline melee. Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri charged with misconduct by FA
Fabio Quagliarella became the oldest ever player to score for Italy as the 36-year-old converted two penalties in a crushing 6-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win by the Azzurri over Liechtenstein on Tuesday.
Quagliarella becomes oldest goalscorer in Italy history
Crystal Palace all but banished any lingering relegation fears as captain Luka Milivojevic fired home a late penalty to secure a 1-0 Premier League victory at Newcastle on Saturday.
Football: Milivojevic penalty seals Palace win at Newcastle
0 comments:
Post a Comment