China's first academy to train soccer coaches was inaugurated on Saturday, after a plan that aims to build the country a world leading power in soccer by 2050 was rolled out.

The soccer academy of Guangzhou Sport University will focus on training school coaches through the four-year bachelor degree and the first batch of 100 to 150 students will be admitted this September, reported Yangcheng Evening News.

With more than 20 teachers, the academy has teamed up with a local club in coaches and referees training and will also bring soccer expertise to primary and secondary schools in rural areas of the province.

The opening of this academy came a week after a long-term soccer development plan was announced. According to the plan, China will become a dominant soccer power in Asia by 2030 and a world leading competitor two decades later through youth promotion and league development.

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