Wanda to seal deal with CFA

BEIJING - Chinese company Dalian Wanda will sign a comprehensive deal with the Chinese Football Association (CFA) at a ceremony at the Beijing Institute of Technology on Sunday, Chinese media has reported.

The sides will sign an agreement on the "Future Star" program, which aims to provide young Chinese players with opportunities to play overseas. An Under-15 match featuring teams from North China and South China is also on the agenda to mark the launch of the country's first nationwide soccer league for teenagers, Beijing Youth Daily reported.

According to the reports, besides the investment in teenage development, Dalian Wanda, whose assets are estimated at 140 billion yuan ($21.6 billion) through its ventures in commercial properties, luxury hotels, chain stores and tourism, will also give the CFA considerable financial support in an effort to invite world-class foreign consultants for the national team and also contribute 10 million yuan per year to improve the standard of refereeing.