60 Chinese soccer coaches in Stoke City training

According to a BBC report, 60 Chinese soccer coaches are now being trained in Staffordshire, England to learn from Premier League experts.

The Chinese government has invested millions of pounds into the 12-week programme, which is delivered by Stoke City Football Club and Staffordshire University. The coaches will receive lessons in psychology, physiology and nutrition as well as soccer coaching.

It is understood that this project is part of the country's aims to become a soccer powerhouse by 2050. According to the soccer blueprint, China has set out short, mid and long-term objectives, starting with the creation of up to 20,000 soccer schools and 70,000 pitches by 2020.

More than 30 million primary and secondary school age students will be encouraged to play regularly.

So in recent years, Chinese investors have been looking to buy into foreign clubs like Inter Milan, AC Milan, West Brom and Newcastle Jets.

Source: BBC

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin