China, Ajax to build best soccer academy

SHANGHAI: Dutch football giants Ajax announced a five-year partnership with Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F on Monday that will attempt to build the best youth academy in China. The multi-million-euro deal is the latest in a series of football link-ups between Europe and China, as the Asian superpower — under football fan President Xi Jinping — throws money at developing football in the country. China wants to eventually host — and maybe even win — the World Cup. The Chinese Football Association (CFA) and Chinese teams have been forging ties with clubs and federations across the globe, particularly in Europe, to improve the quality of their homegrown players. Ajax and Guangzhou R&F want to tap into that expertise, launching the new programme with a group of coaches from the Amsterdam club.