The final of the Mayor's Cup is held in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, on Dec 1. [Photo/Tide News]

Hangzhou in East China's Zhejiang province is quickly establishing itself as a key player in Chinese soccer.

Known as the home of Chinese Super League side Zhejiang FC, the city is also investing heavily in youth development and grassroots programs.

On Dec 1, Hangzhou hosted the 2024 "Mayor's Cup" High School Boys' Final at Hangzhou Greentown Yuhua School. Hangzhou Party Secretary Liu Jie kicked off the match, underscoring the city's dedication to fostering the sport.

The Mayor's Cup stands as Hangzhou's premier school soccer tournament, involving 1,600 teams and over 23,000 students across divisions from kindergarten to high school. This year's event stretched over nine months and included nearly 5,000 games.

Hangzhou's commitment to soccer extends beyond tournaments. In April, Liu visited Zhejiang FC to review team operations and youth development initiatives. By October, the city hosted a conference to unveil a strategic plan centered on four pillars:

Player development: Establish better pathways, enhance facilities, focus on injury prevention, and create professional training environments.

Club growth: Strengthen professional teams and encourage the development of amateur clubs.

Quality competitions: Improve league structures and create tournaments that resonate with fans.

Fan engagement: Deepen club-supporter connections, boost soccer's economic impact, and cultivate a respectful and passionate fan culture.