Coach An Fu with his first football class at Yisa Primary School’s football class (COURTESY)

“Go! Faster!” “Pass the ball!” 

Echoes of encouragement ring across the football field at Yisa Primary School, nestled high in the mountains of Butuo County in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. Against a backdrop of cloud-wrapped peaks, girls in jerseys dart across the turf with infectious energy. The air is crisp, the wind biting, yet their flushed cheeks radiate passion. Living at an altitude of 2,400 metres, these young athletes have adapted well to the rugged environment. Their natural resilience is now being nurtured into strength on the pitch, as Butuo County integrates football into its education system to transform lives.  

The first girls’ team was formed in 2016. A year later, the Weiguang Action (Brightness of Hope Initiative) – launched by the Sichuan Provincial and Chengdu Municipal committees of the China Zhi Gong Party, one of the eight non-Communist political parties in China – began supporting school football in the region. Since then, dozens of girls have left their isolated villages to train and study in cities like Chengdu and Beijing, building new futures from their love of the sport. 

A model for education 

In July 2023, Yisa Primary School was recognised as a model site for the Weiguang Action girls’ football project. Today, girls from across the 12 townships of Butuo compete for places in its pioneering programme. After two rounds of physical trials, those selected begin a carefully structured regimen that blends athletic training with academic study. 

“We were the first school in the district to launch a dedicated football class for girls,” said Principal Lai Xuejiang. Students spend their first year adjusting before joining specialised training groups in their second year. Each cohort – currently divided into second- and third-year classes – has 48 pupils, grouped by skill level. Movement between groups is based on performance, encouraging constant growth and motivation. 

In addition to the standard curriculum, the girls train for three hours each day. As boarders, they return home only during winter and summer holidays. Despite their demanding schedules, the results are impressive: the third-year football class ranks first in Chinese and second in mathematics across the district. 

“Our approach is holistic,” explained Lai. “Sports and academics aren’t separate – they strengthen one another. Football builds physical fitness and mental resilience. It gives these once-shy girls the confidence that extends into the classroom. And what they learn in class helps them to better understand the game.” 

He emphasised the importance of balance. “Football is important, but education remains the foundation of their future. We will not sacrifice one for the other.” 

A school girl in training (COURTESY) 

Mentorship and motivation 

As the school day winds down, the pitch springs to life again. Coach An Fu watches closely, correcting technique and applauding effort with quiet pride. 

An, aged 29 and of Yi ethnicity, holds a degree in physical education from Aba Teachers University in Sichuan. He has worked with the girls’ team since its inception and now coaches full-time at Yisa. “The school feels like my second home,” he said. “I know each girl – her strengths, her potential. Our training is tailored to the individual.” 

One of his pupils is Sugame Liwai. From a humble family, she showed up for try-outs in shoes far too big – borrowed from her sister. Mid-race, she kicked them off and ran barefoot, finishing first. “Her determination was unforgettable,” An recalled. “I knew we had to bring her in.” 

Another standout is Legume Yiming. Initially reserved and soft-spoken, she quickly revealed extraordinary skill, managing 700 consecutive juggles within months. Now captain and top scorer, she leads the team with confidence both on and off the field. 

When asked if training is hard, the girls instantly shook their heads. Their eyes shone with passion and hope. “Every time I see that spark in them,” said An, “I feel even greater responsibility to help them go further.” 

Legume Yiming (centre) leads her team during a match (COURTESY) 

Beyond mountains 

In April 2024, Yisa Primary School was designated a national pilot school for youth football. Just months later, the under-10 team triumphed at the 40th Liangshan Prefectural School Games – netting 44 goals and conceding only two on their way to the title. They dominated the final 8–1, a remarkable feat for a team formed only the year before and competing at prefectural level for the first time. 

Since 2017, 48 girls from Butuo have gone on to attend specialist sports schools in Chengdu through the Weiguang Action initiative. Nine have earned the title of Class 1 National Athlete. Two have joined the U16 national women’s team. And in a moment of local pride at the 2023 Summer Universiade in Chengdu, 15-year-old Wazhame Rige became the youngest of the 93 torchbearers. 

“Our education model is bearing fruit,” Lai said. “We want these girls to step out of the mountains, attend university, and embrace the wider world.” 

At the end of 2023, a group of students travelled to Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeast China, as part of an educational exchange programme – an eye-opening journey that took them far from the familiarity of their mountain homes. From playing snow football and trying winter sports to meeting world champions, the experience made a deep impression on the young visitors. It marked another step in their journey towards embracing a wider world and contributing to the brighter future of Chinese football.