Carlos Vieira on the newest Sporting Academy School

The first Sporting Academy School in China will officially open its doors in September this year. Vice-president Carlos Vieira was at the signing ceremony in Anshun and the Alvalade representative proved keen to explain te reasons for the new investment: "China has a plan in the long term, to take part in the World Cup, then to host one and to win one. That is an enormous ambition and we can share our know-how for contributing to that objective. We were made very welcome here. Football is a truly global sport and is the sport most played in Chinese Schools. Also we cannot overlook the benefit for the Sporting CP grand. The idea of opening a Sporting Academy School in such a huge country will allow us to work with the grassroots players in local schools. Anshun is one of the country's fastest growing cities."