Chinese government publish ambitious soccer reform plan

An overall reform plan was unveiled here on Monday as the Chinese government determined to raise the level of the game in the world's most populous country.

According to the plan, the reforms involve almost every aspect of the sport, including professional clubs, professional leagues, the national teams and grassroots soccer.

In contrast to its excellence in sports such as table tennis, badminton, diving, shooting, weightlifting and gymnastics, China have been bothered by the lowly performance of the national sides. The men's team are now ranked 83rd and just qualified for one World Cup finals, in 2002. Endi