Cultivating the habit
Lin said he would first aim to encourage a love for the game and make playing soccer a habit, especially among young people. This required support from the education ministry and the media.
Secondly, players need good training and this would involve soccer academies and coaching from abroad.
Thirdly, a proper competition network needs to be developed so that teams can improve their competitiveness. This would eventually lead to the formation of professional leagues.
Only then would it be possible for Taiwan to produce a strong national squad and dream at last of qualifying for the World Cup, Lin said.
Since taking over the helm of the CTFA, Lin said the number of teams playing soccer has increased by around 100 to 386. He has also appointed new coaches and reorganized the CTFA office, which appeared to be working efficiently when the Taipei Times visited this week.
Previously, FIFA was highly critical of the CTFA when the Futsal tournament was held here in 2004.
As for the shirts issue -- you cannot buy for love or money the national team colors -- Lin said manufacturers were working to rectify the situation.
"I feel we know the reasons for the lack of success and how we can change it. I am the key person to develop football here and I know how to organize, but of course I dare to say that we need financial support to complete the task.
"To raise a child you must care for it and this takes money. My job is to get the kid to stand on its own two feet," he said.
Taiwan will take its first baby steps under Lin next month when it plays South Korea in its next AFC Asian Cup qualifying match in Taipei on Aug. 16.
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