China

Chelsea sign China grassroots deal

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-04-26 08:31

Leagues in the cities of Qingdao and Wuhan have just completed one season and the project will now be extended to 15 cities including Beijing and Shanghai.

"What I've experienced in the last two days has been quite remarkable," said Kenyon. "I think it's as exciting a football project as any that's going on in the world.

"They've proved in these two cities that it's not theoretical, it's really working."

Kenyon also confirmed that Chelsea hoped the China under-23 team, who will compete at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, would come to the club's training facility in England as part of a deal with the Chinese Football Association.

The former Manchester United chief executive, who was at the club when they launched an attempt to break into the vast Chinese market, said Chelsea might tour in the future.

"I'm sure that will happen but it will be decided by our partnerships and it'll be for the right reasons," he said.