Shandong Province launches football reform scheme

‍‍‍‍The General Office of the Provincial Government of Shandong, recently published its official printed programme outlining the launch of its formal football reform scheme.‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

This reform scheme has garnered lots of public attention including  accelerating the construction of a National Football Academy and the  growth and development of various football professionals such as teachers, coaches and referees. Furthermore, the scheme recommends that all  higher educational institutes in Shandong Province should set up their own university football teams. Campus football research centres based in university sports faculties will also be set up, which will enhance the training of campus football coaches and the theoretical and practical research in football. Additionally, a vision was also disclosed in this reform scheme which is to set up one or two new professional football clubs with local-government support to play in China's professional football leagues.

In terms of football facilities, this reform scheme also endorses the construction more football pitches. During the 13th five-year plan period, Shandong Province aspires to have one or two soccer stadiums  which meet the standards of holding mega-events. Moreover, it also requests that each county or district in Shandong set up at least 2 football pitches meeting social standards with high schools or higher education levels also having at least 1 football pitch. 

Additionally, the reform guidelines call on Shandong Province to bid for mega football events, such as the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Olympic qualification matches, the AFC Asian Cup, and CFA Team China Invitational Football matches. The enhancement of communication and football knowledge management and dissemination with sister provinces, states and cities at home or abroad have also been put forward by this reform scheme. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

Source: Sohu

Proofread by Raymond Fitzpatrick‍‍