Kungfu could save soccer, says club boss
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-05 10:22
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A former businessman with a passion for soccer is hoping the principles of kungfu can save soccer in China, where the game has been dented recently by gambling scandals involving senior officials, club managers and players.
Kong Debao, a soccer enthusiast and executive director of the SMK Kungfu Soccer Club, told METRO on Wednesday that by bringing the merits of kungfu onto the soccer pitch, he hopes players will become more agile and develop stronger minds, improving weaknesses among Chinese soccer players.
"I was very anxious about the fate of the Chinese soccer and that's why I wanted to restart this club," he said.
Kong gave up his clothing business in Heilongjiang province to start the soccer club in 2007. However, due to financial difficulties, it was closed at the end of 2008.
With new financial investment from a property developer "enough for the operation of a soccer team for 10 to 20 years", Kong re-launched the club on Tuesday.
"The ultimate purpose of the club is to train top players capable of competing with their foreign counterparts and expanding the talent pool for Chinese soccer," he said.
Kong said the club hopes to recruit 200 players in half a year. So far, six people have applied.
The top 20 prospects will not need to pay for tuition and accommodation with the club.
Kong is among a growing number of people who have expressed concern about soccer in China.
On Jan 21, two Chinese Soccer Association vice-chairmen were arrested for their alleged roles in soccer gambling. Previously, a former Chinese national team coach, several club managers and players were also arrested. Chinese fans have been disappointed by the scandals and hefty salaries paid to players, while the international ranking of China has kept declining.
"The motivation of this grassroots soccer club is an incentive to reform the Chinese soccer industry," Guo Ruilong, former coach of Beijing Guo'an soccer team told METRO.
However, a lack of participation among teens is one of the challenges Chinese soccer faces, he said.
Last year, the emergence of a super soccer league consisting of the neighborhoods in Huilongguan, northwest of Beijing, was evidence of a major grassroots soccer revival, as reported by the Beijing Times.