Helping rural kids get their kicks

One man's love of the Beautiful Game proves contagious in an unlikely area

In a remote part of northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, the brilliant green grass of a new soccer pitch gleams in marked contrast to the rough, arid land that surrounds it.

On the field, coach Abdumijit Emet keenly surveys his dedicated charges - boys and girls from Jiangtai Middle School of Xiji County, who weave their way through planted poles before passing and shooting into the net.