Song Kai Outlines Measures for Advancing Chinese Football at CFA Conference

On October 16, 2023, Song Kai, the president of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), spoke at the 12th membership conference held in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. During this event, which marked the beginning of the 2024 China Football Development Seminar, he proposed six key measures to improve the state of Chinese football, indicating a commitment to advancing the sport. The conference included participants such as investors, general managers from top-tier and second-tier clubs, and representatives from 16 major cities identified for football growth.

In his speech, Song expressed a candid assessment of Chinese football, recognizing that "Nobody is satisfied" with the current situation. He pointed out several shortcomings plaguing the sport, such as a fragile technical foundation, insufficient youth development, and a general lack of internal stability. He emphasized the importance of creating a stable development strategy that avoids unnecessary disruptions while fostering openness and international cooperation in football.

implementing a technique-oriented approach, ensuring rigorous training, attracting qualified coaches for youth programs, establishing a strong competition framework, integrating sports with education, and leveraging local support. He also underscored the importance of making the domestic league more competitive. By providing players with a challenging environment, he argued that it would be crucial for their growth, with rigorous training and unwavering commitment to the sport being essential for future improvements in Chinese football.