By Andrew Warshaw
March 18 – China is setting out a blueprint for staging the World Cup a generation down the road by raising the standard of the national team as part of a sweeping development project.
According to the official Xinhua news agency, the plan, which includes stamping out corruption, has been approved by the Chinese government in a bid to revitalise the sport in the world’s most populous country.
China is 83rd in the FIFA world rankings and its men’s team have reached the finals of the World Cup only once, in 2002, when they were eliminated in the first round group stage in Japan and South Korea.
The campaign against corruption has already seen at least nine officials, four judges, 13 players or coaches and 17 club workers jailed or punished since 2009.
Although China is unlikely to be considered as World Cup hosts for a number of years due to Asia staging 2022 in the shape of Qatar, the new reform plan illustrates the determination not to be left behind.
“Along with our long-term plan to improve the environment of soccer and the popularization of the sport, China, as a big country, should bid to host the World Cup.” Chinese Football Association president Cai Zhenhua was quoted as saying.
According to Xinhua, the plan, approved by President Xi Jinping, states: “Our football is still lagging compared to the rapid development in Asia and the world.”
Under the project, the number of schools specialising in football will quadruple from 5,000 to 20,000 by 2020. The report says China’s short-term goal is to “improve the environment and atmosphere” of the sport, and that the country will focus on attracting younger players.
In the long term it aims for mass participation, with the creation of an “advanced” league system to help improve the competitiveness of the national men’s team. It would also “proactively apply to host the World Cup”
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