Xinjiang to introduce football classes across all schools

Members of the U13 girls' football team of Artux City cheer for the team during a friendly game, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Hongyan)

Xinjiang is boosting Chinese football by integrating the sport into school education, strengthening grassroots training, and expanding participation to nurture future talent.

URUMQI, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has rolled out new measures to expand football programs in schools, calling for football to be included in physical education classes at all levels.

According to a policy document jointly issued by several government departments, building a strong grassroots foundation will be a top priority. Under the plan, football-focused schools, which prioritize football within their physical education programs, are expected to allocate at least one-third of total PE class hours to football.

The document calls for building a comprehensive talent pipeline, including a "through-train" pathway linking different stages of education, as well as integrated training across vocational schools, universities, football academies and professional clubs.

Xinjiang has long been known for its strong football culture. By 2024, the region had 4,595 football fields, ranking among the highest in China in terms of football pitches per capita.

Across the region, campus football leagues will continue, alongside expanded weekend competitions, to encourage regular participation and broaden the sport's reach among students.

To address a long-standing shortage of grassroots coaches, the government decided to improve training, recruitment and pay for football instructors, while expanding university programs and encouraging retired professionals to teach.

In recent years, Xinjiang has become an increasingly important source of talent for Chinese football. Players such as striker Behram Abduweili and defender Umidjan Yusup have earned calls from national team.