FIFA President Gianni Infantino lauded China’s dedication to nurturing young football talent during a high-level meeting in Shanghai on Thursday. The collaboration between FIFA and Chinese officials aims to harness China’s vast potential in the sport and foster grassroots development.
Infantino engaged in discussions with Zhang Jiasheng, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, and Song Kai, President of the Chinese Football Association (CFA). The talks focused on expanding opportunities for young athletes to play and excel in football, leveraging the FIFA Forward program to further enhance the sport’s development in the region.
\"We discussed plans to work together to ensure more youngsters play and excel in our sport, and how the FIFA Forward program can further football development,\" Infantino stated. \"FIFA's increased youth tournaments reflect a shared commitment to grassroots development, and I was impressed by the progress made to tap into this beautiful country's massive football potential.\"
Since 2019, the CFA has been running the restructured National Youth Super League (NYSL) with support from FIFA Forward. This initiative provides young footballers with the opportunity to compete on a weekly basis, fostering their growth and skills.
Looking ahead, FIFA Forward will also fund the organization of the CFA Cup starting in 2024. This competition will feature teams from the top three divisions of the Chinese league system, along with several amateur clubs, and will run over three seasons. The CFA Cup is set to become a cornerstone of China’s football landscape, promoting competitive play and talent development at various levels.
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China, FIFA to collaborate on youth football development projects
cgtn.com
