Former national players spearhead soccer promotion

A soccer association in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, launched a carnival on Wednesday aimed at boosting the popularity of the sport within local companies, schools and communities.

Guangzhou Football Association, in cooperation with Guangzhou Super Football Club, a private organization led by former Chinese national team player Peng Weiguo, will send retired players to local schools, communities and companies to help organize training courses.

The event, which also includes a tournament between 16 amateur teams organized by local companies, will last more than four months, organizers said.

"Following China’s unveiling of a series of measures to boost soccer development, we, as retired players, have realized that we should make efforts to promote the sport at the grassroots level," said Peng.