Shanghai has signed a strategic cooperation plan with the German Football Association and related companies to support the development of youth football and improve sports management practices.

The agreement, signed on May 20, saw the establishment of an alliance between the Shanghai SME Cooperation and Exchange Center and the German Football Association. The two sides will work together to localize German sports management expertise.

The project also supports the "Trustworthy Purchase Evaluation" system, promoting quality standards in sports consumption. It aims to ensure fair pricing and reliable services for consumers while creating stable sales channels for suppliers.

This is the first international partnership under the "Trustworthy Purchase" initiative. It will introduce German standards in referee and athlete training as well as product certification.

Jurgen Klar, chairman of the Referees Committee of the German Football Association, expressed that the German side will fully assist Shanghai in building a youth football development system to cultivate talent for future international events.

He cited how German football culture drives sports consumption, emphasizing that an industry chain centered around football can create employment and promote cross-industry integration.

He noted that while Shanghai's enthusiasm for football is high, there is still a gap in industry maturity compared to Germany, presenting an opportunity for cooperation between the two sides.

Reza Fazeli, chairman of the International Soccer Management Holding GmbH & Co, agreed about the immense development potential.

He emphasized that cooperation is not simply about copying and pasting; the key lies in organically integrating German experiences with Chinese local culture.

Regarding youth training, Fazeli pointed out that the goal is not only to cultivate professional players but also to broaden the horizons of young people through tournament training and hone their physical and mental strengths.

"This alliance breaks national boundaries, using football as a link to connect cultures," he stated.

Xie Jihua, chairman of the Shanghai Technology Exchange, said the cooperation benefits from China's — especially Shanghai's — inclusive environment for innovation and talent. He mentioned that there is still great potential in the field of sports consumption.