Cuju was the ancient game of football in China. It was a form of sport and entertainment which was influential in China for more than 2,000 years. 

In the Chinese, "Cu" means "to kick" and "Ju" means "a ball made of leather".

On July 15, 2004, former FIFA President Joseph Blatter declared that football had originated in Linzi district of Zibo, Shandong province.

Du Shaoxia, an inheritor of the traditional hand-embroidered football craft, makes a ball with wool and silk floss on Nov 12 in Linzi district, Zibo, Shandong province. [Photo by Sun Hongyuan/chinanews.com]

Du Shaoxia makes a traditional football in Linzi district, Zibo, Shandong province on Nov 12. [Photo by Sun Hongyuan/chinanews.com]

Hand-embroidered traditional footballs are seen in Linzi district, Zibo. [Photo by Sun Hongyuan/chinanews.com]