Soccer has always been one of the most popular games of sport, but when it comes to more participation on international front European and American regions enjoy their supremacy. Asian States could never be a challenge for most of the top soccer clubs despite the fact that there is a huge fan following for many European clubs over here. China is one such State where soccer is among the most favorite games but rising corruption never led them do anything convincible on any international circuit though there are many good European players who play for Chinese domestic league but recent cases of result manipulation for unfair means led their goodwill down. Chinese Football Association is now seemed to be determined to improve their prestige hence they have appointed their new chief, 53-year-old Cai Zhenhua. He has been a former table tennis world champion and coach, hence knows everything about how to manage affairs of an association especially when it comes to win the faith of domestic fans.
Reviving Chinese soccer would not be an easy task for Zhenhua, coz there are many big challenges waiting for him, like finding new head coach for the national team and motivating team players to perform their best and eradication of players having any link with sports bettors. Actually, the whole problem lies in excessive interference from the bureaucracy in internal affairs of the national team; moreover, many players have ever been subjected to several inquiries for match fixing, hence former Tennis player would have to use its core skills to improve the structure right from the ground level.
On his appointment, he said, “There are so many heavy tasks and time is limited. I just want to say three words: determination, confidence and perseverance. What I am saying is not a slogan. By determination I mean I will put in real efforts to set goals and to bring Chinese soccer back to its right track.
“We will never forget the 1-5 defeat to Thailand that the national team suffered last year. That day – June 15 – was a day of shame for Chinese soccer.”
For many reasons, his appointment is significant largely for the timings as he was appointed on the Chinese New Year day, therefore there is a superstitious value attached with his performance over here. He replaced 75-year-old Yuan Weimin who has been ruling the FA since more than a decade.