Media Focus
The First Grass Root Amateur Football League of Dalian Opening Successfully
In the morning on Sep. 14, 2014, the “First Grass Root Football League of Dalian” hosted by Dalian Grass Root Football Union opened in Dalian Sports Center. Wang Hao, principal of Dalian Grass Root Football Union and the leaders of the sponsors of the league attended the opening ceremony. On the same day of the opening ceremony, a total of five matches took place.
As introduced by the host, the first league adopted an online signup system. A total of 10 spontaneously organized football teams from enterprises or folk people signed up for the league. The league will last for nearly one month and adopts a single cycle system. The upper limit for signup by each team is 23 players and no change of more than 8 players is allowed for each match. At the same time, a referee, two linemen and a fourth official will be set up. The league refers to domestic professional league globally from the balls used to the number of players and to the rules. Dalian Grass Root Union showed that Dalian had a lot of folk football lovers all the time and they often organized teams to play football on weekend. However, as there was no limit by referees and rules, most matches were irregular. This also made the Grass Root Union contemplate the idea of doing “regular amateur matches”.
What is interesting is that all referees for the grass root amateur league are women. The hosting party thought that women acting as referees are more advantageous than men. Once there is any disagreement, a women referee can coordinate both parties better. “A women referee can avoid disagreement as possible as practical.” It is known that the First Amateur League of Grass Root Union of Dalian will end on Nov. 9. The date of the next round match will take place on Sep. 21. City residents who love football can come to watch the match at that time. (Source of news: Sina Dalian)
