Within a short period, the Chinese record transfer fee has been broken four times. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has been emancipated from the Chinese government in what is seen as an important move toward the improvement of the sport in the country through increased independence, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency.
On Wednesday, the CFA told Xinhua that the state-run Chinese Football Administrative Center that has been in charge of running football in China had been dissolved. This gives the CFA better capabilities in making decisions.
The CFA claims that the change gives them more autonomy with regards to personnel management, foreign visits, finance, pay rate, marketing and the selection of national team coaches.
The change comes after a top-level team on improving reforms in the country agreed to reform the sport around one year ago. The team was led by President Xi Jinping.
"We must develop and revitalize soccer to ensure we are a strong nation of sports," said Xi during a meeting of the Central Reform Leading Group in March 2015.
Chinese media has documented President Xi as a big football fan.
Xi's statement at the meeting also said that the country must overcome its "defective system" that has prevented the game from developing. It added that the country must provide "institutional guarantees" for the progress of the sport.
China has had a hard time improving its football scene for decades, having only ever qualified for the World Cup once in 2002. In comparison, the country has been relatively successful at improving its other sports.
President Xi has even explicitly stated that hosting, qualifying for and winning the World Cup were among the country's goals.
Enterprises have been quick to invest in soccer after China approved a 50-point plan last year to improve the sport. This involves building football academies, cultivating domestic talent and giving the CFA independence from the government.
