New official to develop American football in China

The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has appointed Nathan Jones as its country administrator for China.

Jones will be responsible for overseeing the creation of a national governing body and establishing a development plan for youth and amateur American football in China.

The IFAF is represented worldwide by 62 national federations of American football on six continents and is the official American football development partner of NFL International.

Jones is an established China business adviser and manager with more than eight years of experience in leadership at the highest levels of China's sports, media and education industries. He was acclaimed as one of China's 10 most influential people in the education industry by China Financial Times and recognized multiple times by the Chinese Olympic Committee and CCTV for exceptional contributions.

"China is a nation with a long tradition of athletic excellence and a strong commitment to providing youth with the best education possible," said Jones. "Through IFAF's support, American football will make contributions to the educational experience, well-being and future success of China's young leaders.

"The strategy, dedication, courage, leadership and teamwork that American football embodies are qualities that are highly valued in Chinese culture. For this reason, I expect the sport of American football, in all its forms, to be widely respected and enjoyed by millions of Chinese sports fans in the coming years."

Having established the first adult American football team in China, Jones will now develop a structured competition between emerging teams in the country, a national championship and a series of games between Chinese and visiting teams. Ultimately, Jones will work closely with the Chinese Sports Administration to establish a national federation of American football that meets the criteria necessary for securing full IFAF membership and allow China to join the 62 nations currently within the IFAF structure.

Contact the writer at chenxiangfeng@chinadaily.com.cn