The World Cup Trophy is seen prior to the draw. Photo: VCG
With the 2022 Qatar World Cup in full swing, the leading group of China's Qingdao football reform and development on Wednesday put forward a plan for constructing key cities for football development. According to the plan, Qingdao in East China's Shandong Province will strive to build one or two Chinese Super League teams by 2025, and actively bid for major international competitions such as the FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA World Cup, as well as Chinese Football Association series events.
Qingdao, a city with more than 10 million people, not only has a long history and strong football culture, but has also had many famous players, such as Su Maozhen, one of the most well-known players in Chinese football, who played in the 2002 World Cup, and Li Xiaopeng, the head coach of the national men's football team.
Bayern Munich, a renowned German football club, has also opened a football school in Qingdao.
On January 25, the General Administration of Sport announced the first batch of national key cities for football development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). The nine cities are Shanghai, Chengdu, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Changchun, Chongqing, Dalian and Qingdao.
Under the plan, the city will improve the development level of professional football, promote the reform and development of women's and youth football, accelerate the construction of professional football talent teams and the construction of football facilities, and strive to achieve the comprehensive development of professional, mass, youth and campus football as well as the football industry.
By 2025, the football campaign in Qingdao will achieve tangible results, leading the national key cities and becoming a landmark cause in the construction of a strong sports city.
The city will also improve its football infrastructure, building 1.5 fields for every 10,000 people and six stadiums for professional leagues. There will be at least 30 youth training institutions, and the level of youth training and competitive results will be significantly improved. The national men's and women's football teams will all have athletes from Qingdao.
By 2025, the layout of football events will be optimized, and a high-quality football competition system with an international reputation and Qingdao characteristics will be built. The city will hold at least 5,000 football competitions at all levels and of various types annually. The number of people regularly taking part in football activities in the city will reach 800,000, according to the plan.
Qingdao will strive to build one or two Chinese Super League teams by 2025, so that professional football can become the carrier of the urban spirit and a cultural name card.
With the comprehensive promotion of youth football development, it will speed up the establishment of a scientific and perfect talent training system and accelerate the popularization of campus football. Measures include advocating for schools at all levels to include football in physical education classes, increasing the proportion of football class hours, intensifying efforts to build schools with football characteristics and supporting eligible districts, counties and schools to form women's football teams.
The plan also said Qingdao will actively bid for major international events such as the Club World Cup and the World Cup, as well as Chinese Football Association series events.
Using its geographical advantages, Qingdao will establish football competitions and electronic competitions for the elderly, adults and youth in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries and East Asian countries and regions, so as to enhance exchanges and improve the overall level of football. By 2025, Qingdao will build one or two football brand events with international influence or national fame, it said.
Chinese netizens have expressed their hopes and expectations for the plan. "We are looking forward to seeing the day when Qingdao becomes the glory of Chinese football," one netizen said.
