The map of the Chinese Football Professional League has been redrawn again, bringing a lot of freshness. The withdrawal of Jinan Xingzhou and the addition of Qingdao Red Lion and Xi'an Chongde Ronghai have finally settled the list of participating teams for the 2024 season. But these changes aside, what really catches the eye is the distribution of professional teams in each province.
First of all, Shandong Province leads the way with six professional teams, of which Qingdao occupies three teams, which is really impressive. As a footballer, it's heartening to see how much love football is in Shandong. Qingdao, a coastal city, is not only a beautiful city, but also a hotspot for football. Although football in Guangdong Province is currently at a low ebb, the number of professional teams is also quite large, reaching 6. Guangdong's enthusiasm for football has not diminished in the slightest, and I believe that in the near future, it will be able to usher in a new spring.
The situation in Jiangsu is somewhat special, although the provincial team was disbanded, Jiangsu's football did not disappear because of this. Teams from Nantong, Nanjing, Suzhou and Wuxi continue to showcase the resilience of Jiangsu football on their respective stages. As a player, I am both relieved and a little sorry to see such a phenomenon, and I hope that football in Jiangsu can rise again.
Regrettably, there are no professional teams in eight provincial-level administrative regions, including Xinjiang and **. Most of these regions are located in the western part of China and some areas that are relatively less economically developed. As an all-in-one initiative, the popularity and development of football should not be limited to coastal or economically developed areas. Every child deserves the opportunity to play football and have fun.
This imbalance in geographical distribution not only reflects the reality of economic and resource distribution, but also exposes the imbalance in the development of football. As a footballer, I would like to see more support and input, especially in areas where the foundation of football is weak. The beauty of football lies in its ability to connect people across geographical, linguistic and even cultural boundaries.
The map of the Chinese Football Professional League is slowly becoming colorful. While there are still some regrets and challenges, every step of change is a big step forward. As a football player, I am full of expectations and confidence in the future of Chinese football. I hope that one day, every province will have its own professional team, so that football can truly become a national sport.