Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the rising importance of youth football in China, driven by both grassroots enthusiasm and supportive government policies, exemplified by the visit of young football star Lamine Yamal to promote the sport [1][3]. Group 1: Youth Football Development - Since its inception in 1999, the National Youth Campus Football League has seen over 3,000 participants annually, with 63 high school teams competing in the 2024-2025 season [4]. - The recent national finals crowned Tsinghua University Affiliated High School as the boys' champion and Jinan Licheng No. 2 Middle School as the girls' champion, showcasing the competitive spirit of youth football [4]. - Lamine Yamal's visit to China was aimed at supporting youth football and promoting the sport's culture, reflecting the growing interest and investment in youth football [5]. Group 2: Corporate Involvement - Adidas, having signed Yamal in 2024, is heavily investing in youth football through a four-year strategic partnership with the Chinese Student Sports Association, aiming to enhance the development of youth football in China [5]. - The company has previously engaged with other football icons like David Beckham to promote football culture among students, indicating a trend of leveraging celebrity influence to boost youth sports [5]. - Adidas also supports a range of sports across all educational levels in China, indicating a broader strategy beyond just football [10]. Group 3: Policy Support - The Chinese government has issued the "Implementation Opinions on the Reform and Development of Youth Football," aiming for high-quality development in youth football by 2025, including establishing a robust training and competition system [6][7]. - The policy emphasizes a combination of national and market mechanisms to mobilize resources for youth football, aiming to enhance training quality and scale [7]. - By 2030, the goal is to significantly increase the youth football population and establish a stable competition and training system, with national teams achieving top rankings in Asia [6][7]. Group 4: Market Trends - The increasing popularity of campus sports is attributed to supportive policies and initiatives aimed at promoting physical health among students, with various documents outlining the importance of sports in education [11][12]. - Major sports brands, including Nike and ASICS, are also entering the campus sports market, indicating a competitive landscape where multiple brands are vying for influence and market share [13]. - The trend of brands investing in campus sports is expected to continue, driven by the overall enthusiasm for sports and the potential market opportunities within school sports ecosystems [13].

Group 1 - Lamine Yamal, a 17-year-old football prodigy, visited China for the first time to support the National Youth Campus Football League (CHFL) finals held on July 9 [1][3] - Yamal's market value has surged to €200 million following his debut with Barcelona and his contribution to Spain's victory in the 2024 European Championship [1] - The CHFL has seen over 3,000 participants annually since its inception in 1999, with 63 high school teams competing in the 2024-2025 season [3] Group 2 - Adidas has signed a four-year strategic partnership with the Chinese Student Sports Association, significantly investing in the CHFL [3][4] - The company aims to leverage its global resources to promote football culture and accelerate youth football development in China [3] - Adidas previously invited David Beckham to China for a similar initiative, highlighting the brand's commitment to youth sports [3] Group 3 - The Chinese government has implemented policies to promote youth football, including the "Implementation Opinions on the Reform and Development of Youth Football" [5][6] - The goal is to establish a robust youth football training and competition system by 2030, with a significant increase in youth football participation [5] - The policies emphasize a combination of national and market mechanisms to enhance investment in youth football [6] Group 4 - The rise of youth football events is attributed to supportive policies and initiatives aimed at improving student health through sports [10][11] - Various sports brands, including Nike and ASICS, are increasingly engaging with schools to promote sports events and competitions [11][12] - The growing interest in school sports is seen as a market opportunity for sports brands, contributing to a positive development in the sports ecosystem [12]