Cai Zhenhua, Chairman of the Chinese Football Association and a deputy director of China’s General Administration of Sport, recently met with the Portuguese Ambassador to China to explore the potential for greater co-operation in soccer, according to the official website of the CFA.

As quoted, “The sides showed a desire to establish friendly exchanges in soccer and discussed a potential partnership in a youth training system and the training of coaches.”

This direct bilateral conversation will reinforce the potential alliance between China and Portugal in football.

Days earlier, Mr. Cai, on behalf of the CFA, also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Czech FA at the Great Hall of the People. The deal will see China and the Czech Republic collaborate in the training of soccer coaches and referees. There will also be exchanges and friendly matches between clubs, national teams, women’s soccer and youth soccer. As well as technique, the CFA and Czech soccer’s governing body will work together on scientific research, business development and management within the sport.

CFA is China’s soccer governing body and has split from the General Administration of Sport recently against the background of sport-related reform.

Source: CFA

Poofread by John Devlin