A new page in Taiwan's faded soccer history may have turned with President Chen Shui-bian's (
Chen's announcement was made at the recently concluded Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Women's Championship, that saw North Korea scramble the form book and raise the cup, after beating China's "Steel Roses" and then Japan in the final.
The "year of football" follows on the heels of the government's partially successful attempts this year to re-establish baseball as the national game.
The head of the AFC, Dato' Peter Velappen said last week in Taiwan the president's declaration would "open a new chapter in the history of football in Taiwan."
Speaking at a press conference, Velappen said he had also spoken to Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
Velappen said the mayor had told him there were around 6 million baseball fans in the country.
"I told him that football is not competing with baseball and that of the 23 million people in Taiwan we are looking to convert the other 17 million into football fans."
Commenting on the AFC Women's Championship, Velappen said, "This tournament opened many gates for the development of football in Taiwan."
In response, the Chinese Taipei Football Association has produced a blueprint for promoting the "beautiful game."
Targeting kids
Taking on board the adage "catch them while they're young," the Taiwan footballing association report is targeting children as young as three years old.
"Fun football" for under-fours is proposed, along with kids soccer tournaments and a campaign to spread knowledge of the game through the media.
David Wang (王玉西), an executive member of the Chinese Taipei Football Association said yesterday that it was essential to promote the game at a "grassroots level."
He said there needed to be an emphasis in Taiwan not just on education but on physical education and suggested that school times were changed so that children could play more outdoor sports.
"Our school football is just not strong enough," Wang said. "We must develop the game at this level, it is the only way of increasing the number of players in this country."
Training camps, futsal (indoor soccer), a City Cup and other initiatives will be set up to boost the quality and quantity of players. Youth leagues are also planned.
Coaches will be sent abroad to learn more about training methods and foreign managers will be hired -- as they have in Japan and other developing soccer nations.
It is envisioned that in just over three years from now a professional league will be set up for men, comprising eight teams. There will also be a women's league of five teams.
By 2009 it is expected that Taiwan will be competing in the Futsal World Cup and three years later it is hoped Taiwan's men will be able to successfully compete in the Under-19 World Cup.
Preparations are already underway to organize and train players for the 2004 Olympic Games.
Velappen said the AFC would examine the Taiwan football association report and report back early in the new year with strategies to help improve the spread of the game in Taiwan.
All these initiatives will amount to nothing, however, without ample government support.
Up to NT$125 million has been set aside by the government to promote soccer next year.
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