An essential component of the CFA’s plans to nurture the next generation of football talent is the effective and positive utilisation of the Key Football Cities Development Project, which not only ensures a wide reach but also establishes hubs for identifying and fostering talented youth players in areas with greater potential.

The AFC assessors commended the CFA’s comprehensive talent identification system which is operated through a digital management platform. The innovative approach provides coaches, regional football associations, and clubs with a vast database of information, particularly in areas such as sports science to ensure that the youngsters are nurtured and developed in line with international standards.

Furthermore, complementing their efforts towards enhancing talent identification and scouting processes is an active effort to improve the educational opportunities for regional coaches.

Additionally, the experts were pleased to receive the CFA’s blueprint outlining both short-term and long-term goals aimed at elevating China PR’s footballing prowess by 2035 which includes plans of establishing a nationwide Chinese Youth Football League, designed to provide elite youth players with ample opportunities to compete at a higher level.

Moreover, the assessors held productive discussions with representatives of professional clubs such as Shanghai Shenhua Professional Football Club and Zhejiang Professional Football Club, while also visiting several academies.

Upon completing their inspections, the AFC delegation was pleased to see most academies boasting an ecosystem that demonstrated an excellent balance of high-quality training and academic curriculum, most notably at the CFA Suzhou Academy, an institution dedicated towards developing talented female youth footballers.

Hailing the achievement, CFA President Song Kai said: “The Key Football Cities Development Project serves as a strategic driver for the youth development of China PR and we are delighted that our efforts have earned us a two-Star membership. This is an important recognition of our hard work and has strengthened our commitment to providing the best possible training for the stars of the future.”