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Ronaldo to open 30 schools in big China plan
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BRAZILIAN great Ronaldo will open 30 soccer schools in China, the three-time FIFA World Player of the Year said yesterday, as the Chinese continue with ambitious reforms aimed at making themselves world beaters.
The franchises will be mainly located in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, Xinhua new agency said, with the former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan striker expected to be present when the first opens in Beijing in November.
The move comes as President Xi Jinping, who is pushing for China to host the World Cup finals one day, seeks to resurrect the image of the sport at home after years of corruption in the past.
The revamp has gathered pace with the Chinese Super League experiencing a boom in investment by local businessmen with several Brazilian internationals, like Robinho and Diego Tardelli, joining top-flight clubs.
Ronaldo, 39, who won two World Cups with Brazil, said the speed of development and Xi’s ambition had been factors behind his move.
“Besides the business factor, the major reason for me to open soccer schools in China is because there are lots of soccer fans and players in the country, and the Chinese government and civil organizations also focus on soccer development,” Ronaldo told Xinhua.
“I hope my method of soccer training could help develop Chinese soccer. I think Chinese soccer has the mass base and determination, but it may still lack the proper concept and training methods.”
Part of the government’s ambitious goals included dragging both the men’s and women’s national teams to the top echelons of the game.
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