Official: Chinese Football Association Awarded AFC Grassroots Charter Gold Membership

On July 2, 2024, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) officially announced through its website that the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has been rated as a Gold Member of the AFC Grassroots Charter.

The AFC Grassroots Charter is the main working system through which the AFC promotes grassroots football among its 47 member associations. It was launched in 2018, with the CFA certified as a Silver Member the same year. In June 2022, the CFA initiated the application process for Gold Membership status.

In its official announcement, the AFC highlighted the impressive strategic plans for long-term grassroots football development by the CFA, backed by strong government support in China. These plans align well with the AFC’s values and principles for grassroots football.

Song Kaigang, President of the Chinese Football Association, stated, “Being approved as an AFC Grassroots Charter Gold Member is a significant milestone for the development of grassroots football in China, serving both as encouragement and motivation. Grassroots football is the foundation of the sport, rooted in the community and in every individual who loves and participates in football. Looking forward, the CFA will continue to leverage the multifaceted values of grassroots football in education, health, culture, and lifestyle, enabling more people, especially young people, to engage in the sport in safe and enjoyable environments. We will also continue to learn from international experiences, nurturing grassroots football as the fertile soil for elite football, deepening our commitment to this area, and contributing to a healthier China and a stronger sports nation, as well as adding more Chinese contributions to the Asian grassroots football family.”

With this recognition, the CFA joins eight other AFC Grassroots Charter Gold Members, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Qatar.