Ministry of Education to promote Youth Football

China's Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday that it would cooperate with the Global Legends Series (GLS) to promote soccer in Chinese schools.

GLS is a global organization that brings together active and retired soccer stars for charity and youth soccer events. According to the GLS, 35 international football stars, including former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and retired Portugal great Luis Figo, will visit China on a regular basis to hold sessions, exchange expertise with Chinese trainers and attend youth football promotions.

Wang Dengfeng, director of the ministry's physical education, health and art department, said the coaching expertise from GLS will provide timely help for campus football promotion in China.

"We hope these international stars can send a positive signal to young people in China that playing football can be important for their growth," said Wang.

Aiming to expand the talent pool at the grassroots level, the ministry, in cooperation with the Chinese Football Association, established a plan to provide football expertise at 20,000 primary and secondary schools in China by 2017, up from thecurrent 5,000.