It’s smiles all round, as Nantong government officials pose for a photo with the delegation from the Portuguese Football Federation on June 28. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

A delegation from the Portuguese Football Federation visited Nantong, the coastal city in eastern  Jiangsu province, on June 28.

Xu Xinmin, vice-mayor of the city, welcomed the delegation and the two parties discussed cooperation in training coaches and players.

During the trip, the delegation also visited Nantong University’s sports school and the two sides reached an initial cooperation agreement to build a China-Portugal football college.

The college is expected to provide higher education to teenager players who fail to make the grade as professional players. A wide range of football-related courses will be provided to help them become coaches, judges, scouts, data analysts, therapists and football managers.

The delegation also expressed its willingness to introduce top football clubs, to establish partnerships with Nantong Zhiyun Football Club, helping them promote its development in a more professional and scientific way.

Nantong has placed significant emphasis on the development of football since it was designated as a national pilot city for football reform and development, the only one in Jiangsu province, in 2015.

The city released a second three-year plan for football reform and development (2019-2021) in May. The first one was published in July 2015.