Britain's Prince William (rear C) poses for a group picture during a visit to a Premier League training camp at Nanyang Secondary School in Shanghai, March 3, 2015. (Photo : REUTERS)
China's State Council General Office has issued an overall reform plan to boost the development of soccer in the country.
Entitled "The overall plan for the reform of Chinese soccer," it calls for increased public involvement and diversified training, including campus soccer and professional clubs.
Sports lottery will be used to increase investment in boosting soccer, and two more soccer training centers at the national level will be established, the plan said.
It also seeks to boost soccer education by increasing the total number of elementary and middle schools offering soccer from around 5,000 to 20,000 in 2020 and 50,000 in 2025.
The plan seeks changes that are "issues oriented" and set both short and long-term goals that include bidding for the FIFA World Cup and improving the national team's standing in international rankings.
The men's team, now ranked 83rd, just qualified for one World Cup finals in 2002.
Meanwhile, the women's team has fared better finishing second in the 1999 World Cup, but dropped in the world rankings from top 10 a decade ago to 13th.
The plan also tackled institutional flaws and mandated that China Football Association terminate its affiliation with the General Administration of Sport of China and to eliminate administrative ranks.
An avid soccer fan, President Xi has made no secret of his determination to introduce reforms in the sport, which has been tarnished by scandals and poor administration.
The plan also requires the creation of a board to oversee professional leagues, and for stricter enforcement of rules on cheating and corruption among players and referees.
