Xinjiang's youth football aspirations on the rise

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By Xu Keyue (Global Times) 11:14, December 19, 2023

Editor's Note:

Xinjiang is home to many football enthusiasts. In Artux City, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, people take pride in the strong football atmosphere and the support of the solid grassroots in the area.

GT reporters again traveled to the region. In this second installment of a series of articles, GT tells character stories based on youth football booms in Artux City as football has become a part of the local cultural fabric, which has injected new vitality into the local economy, culture, society, and sports sector, as well as opened up new avenues for tourism.

Students at Eksak Elementary School in Artux City, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, participated in football aerobics on December 13, 2023. Photo: Xu Keyue/GT

Artux City is known as the "hometown of football for a century," and the local Eksak Elementary School in Eksak village used to be a poverty-stricken village but successfully lifted itself out of poverty in 2019. Football can be seen everywhere in the village, from football-themed decorations on streetlights and murals on courtyard walls to slogans like "Ignite the soul of football on the greenfield" at the local village entrance. Football is undoubtedly the pride of this village, and the school promptly provides a platform for children who aspire to excel in football.

On December 13, a fierce football match took place at Eksak Elementary School. The match featured two boys' football teams from Eksak Elementary School and another local school.

Despite the freezing cold wind of southern Xinjiang in winter, children eagerly watched the game from the sidelines, loudly cheering "Eksak! Go!" Whenever a goal was scored, the children erupted in cheers.

Students at Eksak Elementary School play a football game in Artux City, Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo: Xu Keyue/GT

The Eksak Elementary School football team had a slight advantage that day, scoring several goals in a short period of time.

The team captain, Ahsan, 12, played a crucial role in the first half with three assists and one goal. This Uygur football prodigy, who idolizes the Argentine superstar Lionel Messi and dreams of becoming a professional athlete, said his ultimate goal in life is to play for the national team and play in the World Cup.

The team's forward, 11-year-old Bilaly Andukrem, is a player who scored three goals on his own, making him the core figure of the team. He dreams of growing up to become a football star like Brazilian former footballer Kaka. Recently, he and a dozen of his teammates represented the local Qiah Club in a club competition in Kashi Prefecture, winning the championship.

Bilaly's younger brother, Jomar, 10, is also a skilled football player who plays as a midfielder. Although he didn't play in the match, his juggling skills on the sidelines attracted many onlookers. He juggled the balls 240 times without stopping.

Students at Eksak Elementary School play a football game in Artux City, Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo: Xu Keyue/GT

The football team's coach, Yushanjan Amati, is also a local football talent. He came to teach at this elementary school after graduating from Xinjiang Normal University with a major in physical education. Then, he realized his dreams when he became a coach. He believes that all his students are excellent players. Their enthusiasm inspires him, and he hopes they can have a bright future in football. Some of his students have left the area to continue their education in schools in big cities because of their passion for football.

Akramjan Abdurahm, the principal of the Eksak Elementary School, said the school has 603 students. After years of effort, the school has developed a distinctive educational approach focused on high-quality teaching in football. The school currently has three football teams, two boys' teams with over 50 players, and one girls' team with over 20 players. The school has not only produced professional football players but also instilled resilience and the spirit of teamwork in the children through football.