The rise โof Local Football leagues and a Path Forward for โChinese Football
A wave of enthusiasm for grassroots football is sweepingโข across China, fueled by the success of leagues like the “Liao Super League.” this phenomenon, marked by organized fan support – even forโข away games – is extending football’s reach beyond conventional fanbases and โinto smaller towns, creatingโ a “circle-breaking” effect. Chenโ Xing, a promoter of youth footballโ training, notes โa โparticularly positiveโฃ outcome: increased parental involvement, with more families accompanying children to matches, significantly benefiting youth progressโข programs.
Industry experts emphasize that folk football initiatives and professional leagues serve distinct, yet complementary, roles. While professional football focuses on competitive resultsโ within established stadiums, grassroots leaguesโฃ attract โnewโ fans unfamiliar with the intricacies of the game and re-engage those disillusioned with the professional scene, invigorating โคthe social atmosphere. These two levels represent different tiers within the broader football “pyramid,” united by the common goal of expanding the โขfootball population and market.
The success of leagues โlike the “Liao Super League” is prompting reflection on howโค to learn from both domestic and โขinternational examples. Online comparisons between leagues like the “Scottish โSuper League” and the Chinese Super League frequently โขenough involve critical commentary, even โคsuggesting amateur players shoudl be considered for professional teams.Though, professionalsโค point out โฃthe inherent differences in competitiveโ levels and the varying expectations audiences have for โeachโค type of event.
Na Hongyu, head of the Sports Development Center of theโค Shenyang Municipal Sports bureau, explains that the perceived vibrancy of leagues like the “Scottish Super League” stems from a more relaxed atmosphere and entertaining performances. In contrast, professional leagues prioritize tactical defense and efficient play, which, while strategically sound, may not โalways translate to visually stunning matches.
Tian Junjie,vice chairman of the Liaoning Provincial Football Association,frames the “Suzhou Super League” as a cultural tourism product,akin to Zibo’s barbecue tourism or the promotion of “Erbin” tourism,suggesting thatโ some online criticism is rooted in broader dissatisfaction with the national football team.
Despite these distinctions, industry insiders believeโ the success of grassroots leagues offers valuable lessons for professional football.โ These include streamliningโ approval processes, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and innovating in event operations and atmosphere โขcreation.โฃ The goal is to integrate football more deeply into urban โขlife โคand foster a stronger connection with the public.
“Football โrevitalization is a long-distance race, and weโค need to use reform โคthinking to promote high-quality development.We โcannot hope for any ‘magic bullet’,” Tian Junjie stated. While China โisn’t lacking in grassroots leagues, developing branded events with widespread social impact remains a key challenge in improving football culture and standards.
The momentum is building. Wang Wei,โข the driving force behind theโ “Liao Super League,” is already planning to replicate its success withโค other local events in โฃDandong, including pickleball and Northeast Ice and Snow Sports.discussions are underway, involving former “Soviet Super League” players from Dalian, to refine โstrategies forโค organizing similar folk events in their hometown, demonstrating a growing collective effort to build a stronger football future.
Published in: Beijing
