At the end of 2024, Chinese football has received an exciting piece of news. On December 27th, renowned football veteran Sun Jihai was officially elected as the Vice Chairman of Liaoning Football Association. This appointment aligns with the significant reform policies proposed by Song Kai, the chairman of the Chinese Football Association, infusing new hope into the future development of Chinese football!
Recently, Song Kai proposed an important policy at a Chinese football development seminar: retired professional players who do not participate in youth training for a certain number of years will not be allowed to coach professional teams. The introduction of this policy demonstrates the FA's high regard for youth training and reflects the determination to "start from the foundation." In this context, Sun Jihai's appointment can be seen as the best interpretation of this policy.
As one of the most influential players in Chinese football history, Sun Jihai's achievements are widely recognized. He won the Jia-A League championship four times, followed Manchester City to win the English Football Championship League title in 2001, participated in the South Korea-Japan World Cup with the national team in 2002, and was even inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2015. These brilliant records have earned him prestige in the international football arena, as FIFA President Gianni Infantino said during his visit to China in October this year, Sun Jihai is undoubtedly a Chinese football legend.
However, what truly earns Sun Jihai respect is his dedication to youth training after retirement. During the period when "golden football" was prevalent, he remained true to his original aspirations, focusing on the cultivation of young players. According to Wen Hui Bao, the youth training institution founded by Sun Jihai adheres to an admirable philosophy: children selected for the echelon train completely free of charge, with all expenses borne by the institution, and each child's annual investment amounts to as high as 200,000 yuan. This selfless dedication reflects his deep care for the development of Chinese football.
After being elected Vice Chairman of Liaoning Football Association, Sun Jihai stated, "I am very honored to be elected Vice Chairman of Liaoning Football Association, and I feel a great sense of responsibility and mission. In recent years, I have been engaged in football youth training, hoping to lay a solid foundation for Liaoning football and Chinese football." These words fully demonstrate his determination to continue contributing to the development of Chinese football.
As a football fan, I believe that Sun Jihai's appointment carries multiple positive implications: it reflects the FA's emphasis and recognition of professionals who are truly dedicated to football, especially youth training. At this critical juncture of Chinese football reform, choosing talented individuals like Sun Jihai, who possess rich experience and a good reputation, to take on important positions is undoubtedly a wise decision.
Secondly, this appointment sends an important message to society: the development of Chinese football must start from youth training and must focus on foundational construction. Sun Jihai's efforts and achievements in the field of youth training over the years are the best proof of this concept.
Finally, this also sets a good example for other retired athletes. By engaging in youth training, they can not only realize their personal value but also contribute to the future development of Chinese football.
Looking to the future, we look forward to the efforts of professionals like Sun Jihai enabling Chinese football to truly achieve comprehensive reforms starting from the foundation, laying a solid foundation for cultivating more outstanding football talents. With the continuous advancement of such policies, the future of Chinese football will surely be even better!