The first title for Beijing's most popular club may be a portent of the future for a culture mired in corruption at club level and failure at international level.
Beijing Guoan, the Chinese capital's favourite football club, won its first Super League title in October. Its fans, management and China's leadership are taking the event as a sign of better times.
After one of the most successful seasons since China's top flight was inaugurated in 1994, it has begun the slow process of shaking off its corrupt image and giving fans more of what they want.
Last year 190 million viewers tuned into watch the Super League, a record figure and a significant gain from 137 million in 2008. Nearly 4 million spectators went to Super League matches last year, with an average attendance in the stadiums increasing to 16,300.
Though the above statistics show the Chinese are mad about football, the Beautiful Game has experienced some ugly moments in recent years as the Super League has struggled to deal with illegal gambling rings, corrupt referees known as "black whistles" and match-fixing accusations.
Corruption in Chinese football works very much along the same lines as in other sectors of society, where some US$34.4 billion (Dh126.34bn) went missing from the public purse in the first 11 months of last year. Although the government has made great progress in stamping out corruption, commercial bribery is considered a common practice in China and many people complain loudly about officials taking bribes in retfor facilitating business deals.
The areas that tend to be most prone to corruption include project tendering and construction, land transfers, drug and medical apparatus purchases and government procurement. The costs of corruption to the economy could be as much as Dh316bn each year, a 2007 report from the Carnegie Endowment said.
The absence of competitive political process and free press makes many sectors susceptible to fraud, theft, kickbacks, and bribery, the report said. Those same headaches also rear their heads in sport, with major Chinese leagues in football and basketball being no exception.
"Chinese football has got some problems," admits Zhang Lu, Beijing Guoan's manager and vice president. "It's really been through a bad patch, but I think we are seeing signs of an upturn now. We had difficulties in the management of the league, but now the government is paying a lot of attention to these issues and are coming up with practical and effective ways of dealing with the problems."
Corruption in the game three seasons ago nearly finished football in China. There were regular reports of perfectly good goals being disallowed and of dodgy goals being allowed to stand, as well as of referees blowing final whistles surprisingly early.
While this happens in every league around the world, in China's case it has been shown to be systematic efforts by referees to control the outcome of matches because of links to illegal gambling. The Beijing Hyundai side marched off the pitch during a league game with Shenyang Jinde a few years ago after a blatantly wrong penalty decision.
To cap it all, China's national team continues to underperform, particularly when compared to the country's outstanding achievements in the Olympics.
Just as corruption is a serious threat to stability in China, with the Communist Party making highly public efforts to stamp out graft, cheating in football has wrought terrible damage on the game's image. Senior figures in the game and in the government are planning a counterattack to restore some of football's glory in China.
Top leaders including Hu Jintao, China's president, and the vice president Xi Jinping have called for rejuvenation of the domestic game.
"The level of Chinese football is relatively low," said Mr Xi, who is widely considered to be Mr Hu's anointed successor. "But after winning so many [gold medals] in other sports at the Beijing Games, China is determined to make its football go to the top level. But this might take a long time."
Broadcasting rights will be handled by a different company and the plan is to broadcast 216 games in one season, he said. However, football revenues are not comparable with the sums paid to show major European leagues such as the English Premier League, where private TV companies sign big contracts with clubs for their broadcast rights.
"The Chinese league does not earn very much money because nearly all of the channels are public channels," said Mr Zhang. "Nearly all football in China is carried on public television. It's very hard to get the fans to pay for soccer on TV."
No matter the revenue source, clubs suffer most from the impression that match outcomes are determined beforehand. Mr Zhang reckons more needs to be done to improve the ways referees are developed and placed to root out undue influence.
"The system of appointing refs is very important," he said. "He has to be trustworthy. All over the world it's difficult to judge a referee, but there is no doubt in China that people from different interested parties try to bribe referees." China's main professional basketball league has also been hurt by allegations games are fixed, The New York Times has reported.
To encourage more young people to watch the game, children need to be prompted to play the game more often to boost its profile against sports including basketball. The US's National Basketball Association features China's Yao Ming and draws large television audiences.
"It's not basketball we're competing with. Chinese children don't play games anymore, they just study," Mr Zhang said.
Football's status in China is not helped by the fact that its national side is ranked a lowly 97th in the FIFA world rankings and did not qualify for this year's World Cup soccer finals in South Africa. Ordinary fans are frustrated with the state of the sport.
"I used to watch Chinese soccer games. Even when I was 22 I went to stadium with my father to watch a soccer game," said Xiaoxiao, 26, from Shandong province. "But the games were boring and the teams didn't play well. I'm pessimistic.
Rather than root for a local club, Meng Xiajie, a teacher from Beijing, is a major supporter of the English side Manchester United.
"A long time ago, I used to watch Chinese soccer games, like the national team or Beijing Guoan," she said. "But I have to say I was let down. They have so many problems. The players don't play like professionals, you have the 'black whistles', game-fixing, scandals, problems with the system - I feel sometimes Chinese soccer is hopeless. But still in my heart I hope one day we will have great Chinese players.
Mr Zhang is clearly proud of his club's biggest moment, when the Honduran forward Emil Martinez scored a hat-trick to help beat Hangzhou Greentown 4-0 for the Super League title in front of 60,000 delirious spectators, sending Beijing into wild celebrations.
To crown this achievement, China needs to clean up the Beautiful Game and get the business side of soccer back on to a level playing field.
@Email:business@thenational.ae
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
RESULT
Kolkata Knight Riders 169-7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals 144-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata win by 25 runs
Next match
Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders, Friday, 5.30pm
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Afghanistan squad
Gulbadin Naib (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Results
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: RB Money To Burn, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m, Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m, Winner: Secret Protector, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
8.50pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m, Winner: Motafaawit, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5
Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder / 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
Manchester United v Club America
When: Thursday, 9pm Arizona time (Friday UAE, 8am)
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
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The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
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Gertrude Bell's life in focus
A feature film
At one point, two feature films were in the works, but only German director Werner Herzog’s project starring Nicole Kidman would be made. While there were high hopes he would do a worthy job of directing the biopic, when Queen of the Desert arrived in 2015 it was a disappointment. Critics panned the film, in which Herzog largely glossed over Bell’s political work in favour of her ill-fated romances.
A documentary
A project that did do justice to Bell arrived the next year: Sabine Krayenbuhl and Zeva Oelbaum’s Letters from Baghdad: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Gertrude Bell. Drawing on more than 1,000 pieces of archival footage, 1,700 documents and 1,600 letters, the filmmakers painstakingly pieced together a compelling narrative that managed to convey both the depth of Bell’s experience and her tortured love life.
Books, letters and archives
Two biographies have been written about Bell, and both are worth reading: Georgina Howell’s 2006 book Queen of the Desert and Janet Wallach’s 1996 effort Desert Queen. Bell published several books documenting her travels and there are also several volumes of her letters, although they are hard to find in print. Original documents are housed at the Gertrude Bell Archive at the University of Newcastle, which has an online catalogue.
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
Fight card
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) v Rey Nacionales (PHI)
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROM) v Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR)
Catch 74kg
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) v Omar Hussein (JOR)
Strawweight (Female)
Weronika Zygmunt (POL) v Seo Ye-dam (KOR)
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) v Walid Laidi (ALG)
Lightweight
Leandro Martins (BRA) v Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW)
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) v Sofiane Benchohra (ALG)
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR)
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Glen Ranillo (PHI)
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Aidan Aguilera (AUS)
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) Sasha Palatnikov (HKG)
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR)
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Tathoor, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 1,000m
Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: Aiz Alawda, Fernando Jara, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohammed Daggash
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Winked, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Al Ain Mile Group 3 (PA) Dh350,000 1,600m
Winner: Somoud, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Al Jazi, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
