China's Footballing Dream: World Cup frenzy drives up enthusiasm for football camps

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02:06

China harbors big dreams of reaching the World Cup. Many teenagers are taking this summer vacation to hone their skills, and youth football academies and summer camps are capitalizing on the trend. Wang Qiwei has more.

This is an advertisement showing China's victory at the World Cup. And that dream is shared by many young enthusiasts. For 10-year-old Li Xuan, he wants to be like his idol Cristiano Ronaldo. And he hopes this summer camp will give him a headstart.

LI XUAN STUDENT "I want to be a professional football player in the future. Joining this summer camp makes me excited and a bit nervous, and I want to learn some dribbling and shooting skills."

Raising young football players like Li has become a big business in China. Football academies have been sprouting up across the country, offering various youth programs. Some even claim to adopt European training models. And of course, it also means parents have to pour out big bucks. But this isn't holding them back.

"I hope football can bring my child a lot of happiness, and at the same time give her tenacity."

"This World Cup season, my child has great enthusiasm for football, and he also has more time during summer vacation."

China wants to become a "world football power" by 2050, with plans to get 50 million people playing in two years. And it seems like youth academies in the country could help with that goal.

LIU XIFU HEAD OF YOUTH DEPT., CHINESE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION "We will introduce some standards and materials to guide services and help regulate the industry, and let these football academies form better brands. That way, they can be an assisting power in cultivating young football players in the country."

Who knows? These kids here may just be the new generation of stars in China's football team. WQW, CGTN.