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The development of campus football has export and bottlenecks
The development of campus football in China has long faced an export bottleneck, but recent years have seen a significant shift in policy and strategy. Since the release of the "Overall Plan for the Reform and Development of Chinese Football" in 2015, football has gained renewed attention, with campus football becoming a central focus of national efforts to revitalize the sport. Local governments and schools have shown strong support, turning campus football into a crucial pillar of China's football reform.
Policy support has been a driving force behind this transformation. In 1979, Deng Xiaoping first emphasized the importance of starting football from the grassroots, laying the foundation for youth football development. More recently, President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed the need to nurture young talent through football, reinforcing the idea that football should be introduced early in children's education.
In January 2014, the Third National Football Congress in Hebei marked a key moment, as the Ministry of Education was represented on the Football Association board, signaling a stronger integration between sports and education. The meeting also highlighted the importance of combining football with school systems, which many saw as a clear signal for football to enter campuses.
The State Council’s 2014 policy on accelerating the sports industry included a strong push for campus and social football. Later that year, the Ministry of Education launched a national research meeting to develop an upgraded campus football plan, further solidifying its role in national sports strategy.
By 2020, the plan aimed to train 50,000 college and part-time football teachers, while by 2025, 50,000 special football schools were expected to be established nationwide. These goals reflect the government’s deep commitment to making campus football a societal priority.
Wang Dengfeng, head of the Ministry of Education’s Physical Education Department, emphasized that campus football is not just about developing talent but also about reforming the broader sports system. It represents a breakthrough in how school sports are organized and managed.
At the 2014 National School Sports Working Conference, Minister Yuan Guiren called for the establishment of a four-tier football league system, from primary to university levels. This vision began to take shape as the Ministry of Education led the effort, supported by the Chinese Football Association and other agencies.
Wei Xiangxiang, vice chairman of the Chinese Football Association, noted that both education and sports sectors see great potential in integrating physical education with grassroots football. While the Ministry of Education leads the initiative, the sports department continues to play a vital role in organizing competitions, training programs, and teacher development.
Collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Chinese Football Association has grown significantly, culminating in the formation of the National Youth Campus Football Team. This marks the beginning of a new era for school football.
Across the country, local initiatives have also embraced the national push. In Beijing, for example, a new campus football development plan is being finalized, including the inclusion of football in the 2016 entrance exams. The city is also promoting the creation of football associations and youth training centers to boost participation.
With the Ministry of Education leading the charge, the mindset around campus football is changing. Schools and students under its jurisdiction are now more involved in shaping the future of football. This shift in leadership helps streamline operations and ensures better coordination across different sectors, ultimately contributing to the long-term success of campus football in China.