Holding the plate, swiping the card.

Wei Laisong remarked that the food at Xing Baohua's place was almost as good as the small canteen in their workplace.

Xing Baohua almost rolled her eyes at the melon.

After finishing my meal, I went back to Xing Baohua's office to have some tea to aid digestion and sober up.

Wei Laisong took Xing Baohua to inspect their team.

"Can we watch it in a few days? I just got back and have a lot of things to take care of. Why did you drag me here to watch the team?" Xing Baohua complained in the car.

“You’re busy, and so am I. I’m going to a few places the day after tomorrow and won’t be back for ten days or half a month. Don’t I know you? You don’t even glance at the team’s development.” Wei Laisong’s words left Xing Baohua speechless.

As for team building, he really had no interest in it, and it wouldn't bring him much benefit.

The convoy soon arrived at Dong'er Road, which is not far from the train station.

If you're a fan who came with the visiting team, you can walk over after getting off the train. You can also get a feel for this old industrial city.

There were already people waiting for them at the stadium.

Leaders from the Municipal Sports Bureau, team leaders, and sports school principals, etc.

Wei Laisong and Xing Baohua shook hands with everyone and politely said hello.

Building a stadium in the city center wouldn't result in a very large area, and there wouldn't be room for future expansion. Even if expansion were desired, the costs would be enormous; the demolition compensation for surrounding buildings alone would be astronomical. This stadium is destined to be temporary, and it may have to be relocated in a few decades.

The city sports school is right next to the stadium.

The team's main members are teachers and students from the municipal sports school, forming the current professional team.

The students are relatively young, ranging from fifteen or sixteen to eighteen or nineteen years old.

The group arrived at the stadium and watched as the coaching team, comprised of West German coaches, trained the Shandong team.

Grandpa Shi, with a digital watch around his neck, stood in the middle of the field, directing a group of young people to play a square formation game.

The square formation has no goal; it mainly practices short passing combinations and collective positioning.

This is like an array, with players from both sides interspersed, seeing which side has possession of the ball for the longest time.

Playing in a square formation strengthens the collective offense and defense, much like the integrated offensive and defensive formation advocated by Kluyev.

Look for opportunities to attack through short passing combinations, or cover for gaps in the back after losing possession.

The training and knowledge are advanced, but the players' skills are poor.

The ball has just been passed over here. Either you stop the ball by passing it under your feet, or you stop it three or five meters away.

This is still a short pass.

Enraged, Xing Baohua said something absurd: "It looks like they're having a hard time fighting for just one ball. Is it because they don't have enough funding? I'll personally sponsor each of them to have a ball, so they don't have to fight for just one ball."

Wei Laisong glanced at Xing Baohua, his good mood ruined by Xing Baohua.

Some of the people behind the two laughed out loud. Even the principal of the sports school seriously told Xing Baohua what sportsmanship is.

Wei Laisong, with a stern face, snapped at the principal, "He brought all the coaches over from abroad! And he needs you to explain the rules to him? Are you mocking me?"

After saying that, he turned and walked out.

Instead of getting into Xing Baohua's car, he got into his own and sped back to his workplace.

Xing Baohua continued to stand on the sidelines watching the children train.

He turned to Director Zhang of the Sports Bureau and asked, "How is the player selection process conducted?"

“In previous years, junior high schools from various districts and counties sent students here. We selected and kept the promising talents suitable for various sports. As for football, the good students went to the provincial selection, and those who stayed were only of average skill level.”

Director Zhang said helplessly.

"Relying on supplies from below? Aren't you sending anyone down to observe?" Xing Baohua asked.

Seeing the bureau chief shake his head slightly, Xing Baohua sighed.

"The Sports Bureau has decided to start next spring by having primary and secondary schools establish their own school football teams. Outstanding players will be selected through competitions in various districts and counties."

Xing Baohua nodded. This is still better than transportation.

"Can the PE teacher keep up?" Xing Baohua asked.

"We can't keep up. There are only about ten people who can play football."

"I have a suggestion! We can have the physical education teachers who aren't very good at soccer come here for intensive training every week, and then they can teach the players back home." Despite Xing Baohua's dignified demeanor, he's not part of the system, so when he talks to the bureau chief, he can only offer suggestions, and whether the bureau chief will accept them is another matter.

"Director Xing, I know you sponsored this team. Every beginning is difficult. Now that we've started, we'll need your strong support in developing the team," Director Zhang said to Xing Baohua with a smile.

How will you provide support?

"Besides the municipal sports school, several other high schools have installed synthetic running tracks and lawns on their playgrounds. The playgrounds of all the other primary, secondary, and high schools in the city and its districts are paved with furnace ash."

"You mean you want me to put up some money to sponsor the playgrounds of primary, secondary, and high schools in various districts and counties, so that they can all be replaced with artificial turf?"

"Not all of them, just a part will do."

Xing Baohua didn't speak, but instead looked up at the gray sky.

The only downside of heavy industrial cities is that you rarely see a clear blue sky.

"Besides village-run primary schools, schools in towns and above can submit a number of schools and a budget, and I will also donate a library. Of course, this is not to discriminate against village-run primary schools, but they must have a playground that meets the requirements and can be renovated. Those that do not have a playground or whose area is not large enough will be a waste of money if they are renovated."

After Xing Baohua finished speaking, he saw Director Zhang nod with great joy on his face.

The bureau chief was so excited he could hardly speak.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!