Shanghai sets up soccer training camps

Several soccer training camps were set up recently as part of a new youth soccer program initiated by Shanghai’s education commission to promote the sport in high schools. The camps will be graded into four age groups: U11, U13, U15 and U17.

According to Xinhua, 280 schools in Shanghai have joined the city's school soccer program. City officials hope to set up youth training camps in all 16 districts of Shanghai, with more than 3,000 students participating.

City officials say the training camps aren’t just about nurturing the best soccer players, but also well-rounded student athletes. In the future, trainees will train 3 or 4 times a week after class and go to tournaments at weekends.

"We'd like our players to be excellent at both soccer and academic subjects. The basic goal is for them to get into a good university. Of course we will also be scouting for talented players, and we will let them decide whether they want to go professional," Wang Jiangyu, director of Shanghai Youth Soccer Training Camps said.

Source: Xinhua

Proofread by John Devlin