Some sports stars play soccer with kids at the Century Park on Oct 25, marking the opening of a soccer festival in Shanghai. [Photo/Pudong Times]

In line with the national plan of soccer reform released in March, the city of Shanghai announced the opening of a soccer festival at its Century Park in Pudong New District on Oct 25.

At the ceremony, authorities named Oct 26 "Shanghai Soccer Day", in a bid to commemorate the birthday of modern soccer on Oct 26, 1863, and to demonstrate the important role of the sport in the city. Star players such as Sun Ji and Liu Jun were appointed image ambassadors for the festival.

The two-month event, sponsored by the Shanghai Sports Bureau, aims to promote soccer culture among local residents and improve local performance levels and pave the way for the city to become a world-renowned sports center.

The organizers said that the festival will include more than 20 activities, a true soccer feast. A series of tournaments such as the 2015 China Freestyle Soccer Championship will be held in Shanghai. An international forum on the industry of the sport will also be held to discuss its development in China with the participation of famous Chinese and foreign experts.

In addition, the organizers will also invite soccer stars to local schools and communities and have tours to the training bases of soccer clubs, giving fans an opportunity to see the stars close-up.