Key to ending struggles could be education

The Xinhua News Agency and Economy & Nation Weekly recently co-hosted a seminar in Beijing on the developing model of China's professional sports industry. In the discussion, People's Daily deputy sports chief Wang Dazhao and Bi Xidong, former chief editor of Beijing Youth Daily, said establishing a connection with the education ministry should be the national sports bureau's top priority.

"Education authorities and primary schools are the biggest obstacles on China's way to growing its soccer population," Bi said. "School teachers are separating children from the sport, worrying about the students' safety and studies."

Bi also suggested soccer schools should cooperate with local education authorities and set up soccer leagues involving primary and middle schools.