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Shanghai meeting gathers China's soccer heavyweights

Xinhua, May 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

A brainstorming meeting on Chinese soccer reform held here on Thursday gathered China's top stars in the game.

Sun Wen, the FIFA Female Player of the 20th Century, Fan Zhiyi, former Chinese men's team captain who appeared in China's only appearance in the World Cup finals, former China head coach Xu Genbao and Sui Guoyang, general manager of Shanghai SIPG which currently tops the Chinese Super League, were among the attendees.

China's State Council has released a reform plan aimed at raising the level of soccer in the country, where poor international performances have been blamed on a history of corruption and a lack of youth programs.

"Making soccer as part of school education is a well-tested concept to raise the overall standard of the game," said Sun Wen.

Xu Genbao agreed, saying the situation that sports takes a backseat in the Chinese education system should be changed.

"Parents and teachers emphasize on children's academic performances and don't care much about sports," Xu said. "Sports, as well as soccer, should be an important part of education." Endi