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ASIA - AFC NEWS

February 18, 2005 China Super League facing survival problems By Jia Ailing After German conglomerate Siemens ended its sponsorship of China Men's Super League, the country's soccer had to face an upcoming financial crisis. Because of the bad financial circumstances the CFA decided to rearrange all domestic leagues. With lower fan attendance the women's Super League became their first aim. The CFA will reduce support to the leagueover the next few years. This season, all eight teams in the league will play each other in a predetermined neutral venue. According to the CFA,   60, 000 RMB (about 7, 255 US$) was provided  to each local association to provided domestic league. Each women's club received 110, 000 RMB (about 13, 301 US$) from the CFA in 2003. In 2004, the allowance for the local associations and clubs was cancelled. The CFA just paid for the referees and the cost for the opening and closure ceremony of the super league. In fact, the CFA's expense for the league was no more than 1, 000,000 RMB (120, 920 US$) in 2004. Now they have decided to save money to ensure the survival of the men's super league. " The clubs must learn to make money by themselves," said Xue Li, the VP of the CFA, at theHaigeng camp on February 16. But she did not give details of "how to make money by themselves". The association announced that a committee meeting would be held in March and that experts are going to discuss the development and future of China women's soccer. In fact most of China women's soccer clubs are struggling financially. The players' monthly pay is 500-1000 RMB (about 60-120 US$) only. They and their coaches have to spend three or four days taking long-distance trains to play matches in other provinces. " If all matches were held in one city, no one would sponsor the club," a head coach, who refused to disclose his name said, "Now, the team's income is mainly from the sponsor and ad-rate of the home stadium. If we have no home matches, we will have no money. The club has no ability for making money at present." " China Women's Super League will never be cancelled," Zhang Jianqiang, the chief of the CFA women's soccer department said, "National players will improve their ability and enrich their experience through the league. Our aim is 2007 World Cup and 2008 Olympic Games. Remember, both tournaments will be held in China." The new season of the China Women's Super League begins on April 8th