|
Home>News Center>China | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Comic star Zhao Benshan leads soccer club
Without scoring a goal, the China Football League's Liaoning Club made headlines yesterday. One of the country's most popular comedians, Zhao Benshan, became majority owner of the club and has been appointed chairman of the board.
Zhang Shuguang, executive director of the club, announced the new appointment. "I felt my leadership wasn't strong enough to run the club," Zhang said. "But now I am confident about the future because we have Zhao to lead us forward." Although no details of the deal were disclosed during the press conference, it has been reported that Zhao will not inject any cash into the club immediately. Huang Zugang, assistant manager of the club, was quoted by Chutiandushi News in Wuhan, Hubei Province, as saying Zhao is likely to trade part of his share in film production offices and shooting locations in Shenyang in exchange for his share in the club. Reports said the club is to set up a soccer school and Zhao himself is expected to invest about 10 million yuan (US$1.21 million) in the training facilities. "We do not mind if Zhao has invested money or not right now. What we need the most is Zhao himself," Huang said. "His popularity and influence are invaluable to us.'' The club has been struggling financially since last year. Players' wages and leasing payments to stadium owners are both in arrears. "We welcome Zhao Benshan. I hope he can bring in fresh life into the team," said captain of the team and Chinese national team midfielder Zhao Junze. "We are also delighted to hear the club will not delay the payment of players' salaries." The comedian said he was confident the club's future is bright. "I am not here to make money from the club," he said. "I also do not want to raise the team's profile with my own money. What I want is to lead the club to success in the joint platform of entertainment and sports." Widely known for his popular comedies, TV series and films, Zhao said he believes a combination of soccer and his individuality will strike a winning and popular combination. "I will have a new TV series in the future and I may choose some of my players to play roles." said Zhao, who plays on an all-star team of entertainers. The Liaoning club was once the "AC Milan" of China's soccer scene with 10 straight national titles before the Chinese Football Association (CFA) introduced a professional league in 1994. The club hit rock bottom last year as goalkeeper Liu Jiansheng tested positive for drugs and was banned for two years by the CFA. The team has also been accused of fixing matches. The CFA is still investigating those allegations. For Zhao, one key to success is winning back the fans. "I am an actor, and I know it is not easy to have fans," he said. "Once you have them, you must pay more attention and provide more outstanding performances. But once you turn them down, your career is over." |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
