KUNMING, CHINA, Nov 28(Xinhua) -- China's southwest Yunnan Province announced a plan on Wednesday to promote football in kindergartens.
"China has an ambitious football development plan [and the football] education of kindergarteners needs more attention, "said Ge Xin, the Secretary-General of the Yunnan Football Association in Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan province.
This plan will promote football among children between the ages of 3 and 6, in an effort to expand the football population in Yunnan. It will establish nine kindergartens as football experimental schools this year, and calls for the opening of 100 football kindergartens by 2019.
"The kids do not necessarily understand the rules, we just want them them to love and enjoy the game with a smile, " Ge said. "3 to 6 years old is a golden age for kids when it comes to football. [We will] just give them a ball, teach them to be more confident and have fun," Ge added.
According to Ge, the plan will teach kids football etiquette, simple skills such as dribbling, passing and scoring goals in a fun and safe way.
A supportive environment will be created by experienced and enthusiastic football coaches. China launched its football reform program in 2015, hoping more children will be exposed to football.
