"When will the dust settle on the birth of a professional league?" This question was once again hotly debated in the May 19th answer by CFA President Chen Xuyuan. Chairman Chen responded, "The professional league, which is desired by all, will eventually show up." However, despite the fact that it has been nearly two years since Chen Xuyuan's first promise, and that this year's three-tier league has been moving steadily forward under the guidance of the professional league's preparatory team, the professional league has yet to be formally listed, which has undoubtedly become the center of attention for the media and fans.
Is there any basis for President CHAN's pledge this time? The answer is yes. According to our understanding, the management of the preparatory group for the professional league is undergoing a new round of adjustment. A "new face" with rich experience in organizing and coordinating tournaments, as well as resources from local sports bureaus, is expected to join the team and help accelerate the formation of the professional league.
In summarizing the reasons for the slow progress of the professional league, Chen Xuyuan pointed out that a clear division of authority is the key. He emphasized, "The definition of the functions of the league and the FA, the rules of procedure in the implementation process, these are all issues that must be clear. The reason why the formation of the league is time-consuming is precisely because we have invested a lot of time in researching this point, and we can't act hastily." This point of view is one of the reasons for this personnel adjustment in the preparatory group of the professional league.
In the context of the epidemic, professional leagues need to coordinate not only the internal affairs of the three leagues, such as the determination of tournament zones, but also need to fully coordinate with the local governments and sports bureaus, and utilize government resources. In the future, if the system of home and away matches is resumed, the support and collaboration of the city governments where the three leagues are located will be even more necessary. In addition, this year, the Chinese Super League began to appear such as Cangzhou Lions, Henan Songshan Longmen and other government-led equity reform club, which will be the future trend of the league. The State Council's football reform program clearly proposes to optimize the club's equity structure, encourage government resources to invest in shares, and promote the regionalization of clubs. Professional league relies on the power of the government today, simple investors alliance is difficult to achieve the development and growth of the league.
The league needs both people with professional experience in league tournament management and people with government resources. Liu Jun and Huang Shenghua of the Professional League Preparatory Team ensured the stability of the framework of the three-tier league, the proper management of disputed referees, and the smooth distribution of the league's broadcasting rights in the midst of a general downturn in investors' mentality. However, the Pro League Preparatory Group has also gradually realized that resources at the government level need to be strengthened in the future.
At this point, it seems most likely that Shi Qiang will join the professional league preparatory group to strengthen the government resource link. Shi Qiang has served as the secretary general of the Asian Cup China Organizing Committee and has been involved in the formulation and preparation of a number of football-related policies. He has established smooth communication channels with relevant ministries and commissions, departments and bureaus of the General Administration of China, as well as provincial and municipal sports bureaus, and has a wealth of soccer experience and work experience.
Shi Qiang's love for soccer has even reached the level of "obsession", and he insists on watching and playing football all year round. His work experience in the General Administration Office and the Asia Cup Organizing Committee has allowed him to establish close ties with government agencies, which is conducive to the implementation and execution of professional leagues in various regions. If Shi Qiang eventually joins the professional league, he will be a leader with professional ability, government resources and no interest entanglement with the clubs, the independence of the professional league need not worry.
The internal evaluation of Shi Qiang by the Asia Cup Organizing Committee is: "High emotional intelligence, able to listen to different opinions and unite the strength of all parties." As a professional league where the interests of all parties converge, it needs a helmsman who can balance and harmonize the contradictions of many aspects.
