Is the birthplace of football in China? Is there any detailed information?

Statement 1:

Cuju is a sport in ancient China that was popular in Linzi, the capital of Qi State, more than 2,300 years ago. "Warring States Policy - Qi Ce" and "Historical Records - Biography of Su Qin" have records of the relevant situation at that time: "Linzi was very rich and practical, and its people all played the yu, drums and harp, played the piano and built buildings, fought cocks and lackeys, and played Liubo and played ju. . On the way to Linzi, the wheels of cars hit each other, and people shouldered each other... The people were sweating like rain, and their families were prosperous and their ambitions were high." This is the earliest record of Cuju activities in Chinese history books.

On February 4, 2004, FIFA announced in London that football originated in China - the ancient Chinese Cuju is the origin of football. In this way, the controversy surrounding the origin of football, the “first sport” that is popular all over the world, has the most authoritative conclusion. On July 15, 2004, at the Third China International Football Expo in Beijing, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation unanimously agreed: China is the hometown of football, and Zibo, China is the earliest birthplace of football! FIFA President Blatter said in his opening speech: "Chinese football has an excellent development tradition. Cuju in Zibo and Linzi has made a great contribution to the development of football. I would like to thank China for bringing this sport to the world. The world has become more exciting because of football!” After the opening ceremony, Blatter and AFC Chairman Hamam enthusiastically visited the “Football Originated in Zibo Linzi” exhibition hall set up by Zibo City at the Football Expo. I listened carefully to the introduction about the origin of football, and happily signed my name on the imitation of "Cuju", the prototype of modern football.

On the same day, AFC Secretary-General Veerappan represented FIFA and AFC at the "Chinese Football Association" jointly held by the Cultural and Historical Committee of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Football Association and the Zibo Municipal People's Government in Beijing. "Football originated in Zibo, Linzi, China," said the press conference: "World football should be grateful to China, because China is the birthplace of world football. A small game played by ancient people in the Linzi area has now become the most popular sport in the world. FIFA and the AFC have confirmed that Linzi, Zibo, China, is the birthplace of football. This is the pride of China and Linzi. We hope that everyone will celebrate this event together and add luster to the Asian Cup." Mr. Lapan happily presented the football origin commemorative cup and certificate to Zibo City.

In order to further showcase the origin of football to the world, FIFA invited a delegation from Zibo and Linzi to visit and will host the delegation from the origin of football as the closing ceremony of the centenary celebration.

On May 20, at the invitation of FIFA President Blatter, Yue Changzhi, deputy secretary of the Zibo Municipal Party Committee, led a delegation from Zibo Linzi, the birthplace of football, to Zurich, Switzerland to participate in the closing ceremony of the centenary celebration of the founding of FIFA. , was warmly welcomed by the heads of FIFA and the five continents football associations. As the origin of world football, Zibo and Linzi have been widely recognized and praised by the football community and became the protagonist of the closing ceremony.

In order to welcome the delegation, FIFA raised the Chinese flag in front of the president's office building, and the heads of the five continental football federations also gathered together to welcome the delegation from the birthplace of football. At the official start of the closing ceremony, a TV documentary introducing Zibo and Linzi, the birthplace of football, was first shown. Later, Yuan Daren, director of the Culture and History Committee of the State Sports General Administration, introduced to the participants the demonstration process of the origin of football and Zibo and Linzi. Vice Chairman of the Chinese Football Association Zhang Jilong introduced the development of Chinese football. Finally, Yue Changzhi, deputy secretary of the Zibo Municipal Party Committee, delivered a passionate speech and reported to the meeting the plans and programs of the two municipal governments on the construction and development of the origin of football.

At the FIFA headquarters, Yue Changzhi took advantage of various opportunities to introduce Zibo, the birthplace of football, to headquarters officials and guests, and accepted interviews from many Chinese and foreign media. At the closing ceremony, Yue Changzhi and the main responsible comrades of Linzi District presented Cuju, Cuju painted pots and other souvenirs to FIFA, Chairman Blatter and the Mayor of Zurich respectively.

Chairman Blatter issued the Certificate of Origin of Football to Zibo Linzi and presented a commemorative plaque for the closing ceremony of the centenary celebration. All FIFA officials and the heads of the five continental football associations wrote inscriptions or signed for Zibo Linzi as a souvenir.

Modern football originated in England