BEIJING, Mar. 12 -- The seeds of Autumn's harvest are planted in Spring. The Year of the Rooster brought with it a change at the heart of China's football governing body with Xie Yalong taking over from former boss Yan Shiduo. Xie, 49, is the third man to take charge of the CFA since 1994, when the world's most populous nation first played a professional league.

    

Xie Yalong

There is not much to crow about football wise at the beginning of the New Lunar Year. The Year of the Monkey brought disappointment with the men's national team failing to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the women's side slumping to an unprecedented 8-0 defeat at the hands of Germany, and the inaugural Super League becoming widely associated with scandals, match-fixing, gambling and financial difficulties rather than football on the pitch.

    It will be a tough challenge for Xie Yalong. However the former deputy president of Beijing Sports University is definitely up for it. The author of the celebrated book "On Sporting Athleticism" and thesis on football marketing told FIFA.com of his optimism that all would turn out well.

    FIFA.com: Speaking frankly, a disappointing 2004 has hit Chinese football fans hard. Do you feel under pressure to bring the nation's development back on track?

    Xie Yalong: You know, pressures are everywhere in athletics' competitions. In the past 30 years of my sports career, I have weathered countless storms involving such challenges and that's why I'm confident I can do my job well.

    It may be a time of difficulty but it can also be interpreted as one of hope for a new future. After ten years of professionalism, we have a lot of talented players, qualified coaches and referees and the support of countless fans. I believe the potential of our football is boundless.

¡¡¡¡FIFA.com: You revealed your views on football marketing and management in the newly published thesis "The property rights of the league and supply of public products". Will the article be a blueprint for the development of China's football industry?

    Xie: It is clear that football has something in common with other sports in terms of marketing - though as the number one sport in the world, football has something all of its own. We have a 10-year history in professional football but we are just infants compared with European football's century long experience. There is a great deal to be studied from them.

    FIFA.com: Despite the senior side's failure, China's youth teams gained ground last year qualifying for the FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands this June and FIFA U-17 World Championship in Peru this September. What are your hopes for the two teams?

    Xie: I am hoping the two teams break new ground and, particularly, that a lot of new talent come through. These tournaments give them precious international exposure. It is already a fact that a lot of new stars come to the fore after each successive FIFA youth tournament.

    FIFA.com: With the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007 and Beijing Olympics the following year on the horizon, do you think the two events, both to be staged in China, are the perfect chance to begin a football renaissance?

    Xie: Firstly, we thank FIFA for giving us the chance again to host the most prestigious tournament for women's football. The previous one had to be relocated because of the SARS scare. We will do our best to make it the most successful in women's football history. Our women's youth team pulled themselves together last December finishing runners-up at the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, and I think they will put up a brilliant performance on home soil.

    With regard to the Olympics, it is a chance not only for China's football, but all sports to make headway. Every Chinese sportsperson involved in the event should make it their responsibility and mission to work their hardest to fulfill the goals they've set.

    (Source: China Daily/fifa.com)