Action from the opening match of the Chengdu City League between Jinniu Lion King and Sunshine Aluminium.

CHENGDU: A bigger and better Chengdu City League kicked off on Sunday evening with a match between Jinniu Lion King and Sunshine Aluminium at the Chengdu Jinniu Olympic Sports Centre.

 

AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam and a host of dignitaries, including CONCACAF President Jack Warner, attended the launch of the second season of the league which was launched under the umbrella of AFC’s Vision China last year.

 

With excellent support from the Chengdu Municipal Government and cooperation from AFC, the Chengdu Football Association and the Chinese Football Association, the Chendu City League now boasts of 12 teams who will play until November when the champions will be crowned.

 

The opening match which ended in a 1-1 stalemate was attended by over 5000 people with good support for both teams.

 

“I am glad that there are so many people in the stadium today which means there is a lot of enthusiasm among Chengdu’s people for the league,” Bin Hammam told mediapersons. “This will help the league to develop better.”

 

Facilities at the Chengdu Jinniu Olympic Sports Centre have been completely refurbished with the dressing rooms, benches and the pitch upgraded according to professional standards.

 

AFC held a series of workshops in the run-up to the second season to discuss the management of the teams in both divisions and made recommendations to improve the league as part of the Chengdu Strategic Plan.

 

Chengdu is one of five Vision China cities to have their own city league. The others are Wuhan, Qingdao, Nanjing and Zibo, which was launched yesterday.