Grassroots soccer gets a big push

Chinese Football Association conference sets expansion of talent pool as key agenda for 2016

Under hefty expectations for better soccer development, the Chinese Football Association pledged at its national congress on Wednesday to build a solid grassroots foundation by expanding school systems and optimizing youth training programs.

CFA officials disclosed at the congress that the association will continue working with the Ministry of Education to provide competition organizing expertise and technical training for physical education teachers and referees, and it will help build more facilities to develop China's fledgling school soccer system as its key agenda in 2016, to expand the talent pool for the higher echelons of the sport.