Report on CFA's separation from China's Sports Administration: (Ⅲ)

Since China’s State General Administration of Sports announced the separation of the Chinese Football Association (CFA) from the country’s sport governing body earlier this week, we have seen various local media and analysts describe the effort as a key approach in football-related reform and the development of the sport in China in the long run. As the People’s Daily noted, “Well begun is half done.”

As the only one of 72 sports federations in China to be let free from governmental administration, the change would possibly make football, which China is currently weak in, take a leading position under the country’s reform scheme in sports.

Despite possibilities that the decision would practically take effect by the end of 2015, speculation that the CFA could become the most wealthy sports organization within China has immediately emerged. But how can the association, which can not get government financial support any more, raise the funds to stand on its own two feet?

Well, first of all, the organization do not to need to handover some of the revenues from the sport’s governing body any more. Additionally, the CFA could make itself a large chunk of money from the establishment of a football-related fund alongside the broadcasting rights of Team China and Chinese FA Cup, if the potential market generated from over 300 million fans based in China can be significantly exploited. Moreover, the commercial value of the Chinese Super League (CSL), the core resources of the sport in China, can be better developed under the independent football body.

Apart from the CFA, the reform would give a boost to the development of the sport, especially its youth football leagues, said an anonymous employee with CSL side Jiangsu Sainty FC. According to him, the number of youth football leagues would significantly grow thanks to the removal of unnecessary governmental red tape, laying good foundations for Chinese football as the youth players need more experience from these matches before they turn professional with a top tier football.

Yet again China’s men’s national football team are set to return to their attempt to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in early September when Team China host Hong Kong in Shenyang. We shall wait and see whether this historic reform in CFA can give a lift to the long-awaited international.

Source: Sina Sports

Proofread by Raymond Fitzpatrick