CHINA has unveiled its blueprint to transform the country into a “soccer powerhouse” able to challenge the world’s top teams by 2050.

    The plan, unveiled this week by the country’s top economic planning body, sets out short, mid and long-term objectives, starting with the creation of up to 20,000 soccer schools and 70,000 pitches by 2020. More than 30 million primary and secondary school students will be encouraged to play regularly.

    And at the other end of the scale, “two to three” professional clubs should be dominating Asian competitions in the next four years, according to the National Development and Reform Commission’s vision, with the Chinese Super League (CSL) expanding its appeal worldwide.

    In recent months, several top Chinese clubs have invested tens of millions of dollars on importing top foreign talent, including Guangzhou Evergrande, who recently paid US$45.8 million to sign Atletico Madrid striker Jackson Martinez — a record transfer price for the burgeoning league.

    The recent spending lies in part with a policy of putting cash to work in the league, with an eye to winning a World Cup bid and one day winning the tournament.

    So far, China’s brief spotlight on the international stage stood at the 2002 World Cup, where the team failed to score a single goal.

    The next phase of the development plan involves creating one pitch for every 10,000 people by 2030, with the men’s national team becoming a super power in Asia, and their female counterparts turned into one of the leading teams in the world.

    China’s women are currently ranked the 12th best team in the world by soccer’s governing body FIFA, with the men’s team languishing in 81st place.

    By 2050, the plan envisions a complete turnaround in fortunes, with China transformed into a “world soccer powerhouse,” while contributing greatly to the game’s international growth.

    (SD-Agencies)