China has named 4,755 primary and middle schools across the country as specialist football academies to spearhead campus football development, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on July 15.

Moreover, 31 counties and districts have been picked to operate pilot football projects. The appointed schools will enjoy extra funding and policy support.

The MOE requires selected schools and districts to widely publicize football events and progresses made.

These schools will be evaluated regularly and the results made public.

Underperformers will be given a chance to improve, and will be stripped of their status if unsuccessful, said the MOE.