The 2025 Nantong Youth Campus Football League (Primary School Division) Finals concluded on July 7 at Nantong No 2 Middle School in Chongchuan district. The event attracted ‌over ‌600 participants‌ from 35 teams‌ from winning squads across county and district-level competitions.‌

Demonstrating ‌team spirit and competitive drive‌, the young athletes earned resounding cheers from the audience and highlighting the athletic prowess of young students.

Marking its 10th anniversary since inception in 2015, the league has become a talent pipeline for professional soccer. Cao Lei, staff member of the league's competition department, noted that many players emerging from Nantong's campus leagues now compete in the ‌Jiangsu Football City League.‌

To date, Nantong boasts ‌241 national Youth Campus Football Characteristic Schools. The city's robust training system has cultivated exceptional results, with more than 40 players advancing to professional clubs and more than 80 players being selected for various age-group national youth teams under the Chinese Football Association.‌

The primary school students compete in the soccer match in Chongchuan district. [Photo/Nantong Daily]