BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Football Association (CFA) on Wednesday launched a five-year initiative to send promising young players to football powerhouses abroad for training, competition and daily life.
In a bid to accelerate the development of the country's youth talent pool, the "Youth Inspiration Plan" targets male 11-a-side players aged 15 to 23. Eligible Chinese players will receive financial support for overseas professional training, access to high-level matches and stable living conditions, while youth teams may also receive support to compete in top tournaments abroad.
The first cycle of the plan will run for five years, funded by special sponsorships from Team China's official partners and social funds. Ping An Insurance Group, a long-standing partner of Chinese football, co-launched the program with the CFA.
Shao Jiayi, head coach of China's men's national team, who played in the German Bundesliga for several seasons, drew on his own overseas experience.
"Competing in top-tier foreign leagues has an irreplaceable role in a young player's development," Shao said. "This inspiration plan provides invaluable support for talented youngsters to grow."
Yang Chen, a CFA technical committee member who also spent years playing in Germany, encouraged young players to seize the opportunity and embrace challenges.
CFA President Song Kai underscored the importance of nurturing talent through quality competition and advanced tactical education.
"The path to developing football talent follows its own rules. Shaping high-level competitive ability requires exposure to cutting-edge technical and tactical concepts and the test of elite competition," Song said. "This inspiration plan aims to help promising kids dare to go abroad, stay abroad, secure a living, and earn playing time."
Song added that the CFA is actively preparing a systematic overseas development program for Chinese youth footballers, with the Youth Inspiration Plan serving as a key component to provide targeted support for elite players. ■
