Nanjing tastes Vision China metro league success

Asian Football Confederation President Mohamed Bin Hammam stressed the importance of Vision Asia's continuing success at a joint press conference with China Football Association Vice-President Xue Li, Nanjing City Government Deputy General Secretary Chen Weihong, Nanjing FA Vice-President and Director of Nanjing Sports Bureau Shu Jianping to launch the Nanjing City League.

"The future is Asia and it starts with China," he said. "Vision Asia is a long-term commitment to football development throughout Asia and Vision China is one of the most important projects within Vision Asia. Vision China is not only important for China, but also important for Asian football and world football and, therefore, AFC will continue to give its complete support to Vision China. I sincerely believe that Vision China will be more successful in the future and turn China into a football powerhouse," he said.

The AFC chief pointed out Vision China had attracted a large number of Chinese cities due to the several salient features built into the program by football development experts. "Wuhan and Qingdao have already tasted success and completed two seasons. Today Nanjing and Chengdu have been launched while a number of other cities have expressed their interest. AFC will also welcome other cities who are passionate about the game and willing to develop their city football to join Vision China. We will create a separate 'Vision China Desk' in AFC to continue working together with CFA and other football governing bodies in China for developing Vision China."