Xinjiang youths train in E China’s Shandong Province
By Globaltimes.cn, Published: 2018-10-29 19:12:57
Parman, 17, is from Ili. He has been at the school for seven years and is likely to train in Brazil or Portugal next year. Photo: Li Hao/GT
Editor's Note:
The Luneng Taishan Football School in Weifang, East China’s Shandong Province, has 480 young soccer talents from all over China, including more than 20 youths from Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Far away from home, the boys work hard to pursue their dreams of becoming professional players. Here’s a look at some of the student players.

Quddus, 11, is also from Ili. As a group leader in his class, he hopes to become a football superstar like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo: Li Hao/GT
Asadullah, 9, is from Ili, Xinjiang. His mother is a doctor and his father is a teacher. He started playing football after watching his brother play. Photo: Li Hao/GT
Imran is 10 years old. He likes Cristiano Ronaldo and hopes to play on the national team. Photo: Li Hao/GT
9-year-old Ibrahim’s father is also a football player. Photo: Li Hao/GT
Memet, 10, aims to play with Neymar one day. Photo: Li Hao/GT
Ihsan from Kashgar, Xinjiang, is 10 years old. He is the goalkeeper for the Luneng U10 team. He will be satisfied if he can meet Cristiano Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon. Photo: Li Hao/GT
Ezher, from Yining, thinks football is an interesting game. He aims to win the Ballon d'Or when he grows up. Photo: Li Hao/GT
Xirzat, 12, from Kashgar, Xinjiang, has attended the Luneng Taishan Football School for less than a year. Photo: Li Hao/GT
Subi, 16, is from Ili. He is now the captain of China’s national youth team and winner of the 2017 Jinqiu (Golden ball) Awards for youths. He aims to play on the Chinese national team. Photo: Li Hao/GT
Mustafa, 11, is from Ili, Xinjiang. He likes all kinds of Xinjiang rice dishes and hopes to join the Chinese Football Association Super League. His biggest dream is to play in the Spanish La Liga. Photo: Li Hao/GT
Erpat is 11 years old. He chose football over dance when asked by his teacher in Xinjiang and was later selected for the football school. Photo: Li Hao/GT