At least ten players from the 2025 Jiangsu Football City League (JFCL) have been admitted to universities.

The amateur football league, made up of 13 city teams from across the province, has become a major sporting phenomenon in China this summer, driven by passionate local participants and a strong sense of community spirit.

Miao Rundong (Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)

Honors won by Miao Rundong

In the Suzhou team alone, three players have been admitted to Soochow University. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Miao Rundong from the Xuzhou team has received an admission letter from Jiangsu Normal University.

Pan Yusheng

Luo Hongbin

Pan Yusheng from the Wuxi team has been admitted to Dalian University. His teammates Luo Hongbin and Zhu Jiaxi have also been accepted to Shanghai University of Sport and Jiangsu Normal University, respectively.

Pang Zhichao from the Yancheng team will attend Wuhan Sports University, and 19-year-old Huai’an team goalkeeper Li Shien has been accepted to Chengdu Sport University. 

Gao Chi of the Suqian team, who ranks among the top scorers, will enrol at Kunming University of Science and Technology this autumn.