Patriot games: Xi Jinping’s dream of Chinese World Cup begins with thousands of footballing toddlers
- President wants China’s provinces to develop world-class talent from early age
- Game’s national governing body revealed plans for 10,000 kindergartens
President Xi Jinping has vowed to make China a world footballing force and is prepared to go to great lengths to do it, sending thousands of toddlers to “football-focused” kindergartens.
China, which has a population of 1.4 billion but has underachieved in football, will kick the kindergartens scheme off this year, state media said.
Xinhua news agency, quoting education ministry officials, said that “each provincial-level region” will have 50 to 200 football-focused kindergartens.
“The pilot programme aims to cultivate interest in football in children and create an atmosphere favourable for football culture to grow,” Xinhua said, citing a ministry directive.
“Various physical activities tailored for kids will be held, during which children are encouraged to run, jump, climb, throw and shoot balls.”