Genbao Football Base
| Location |
Chongming County Shanghai, China |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 31°40′18″N 121°29′6″E / 31.67167°N 121.48500°ECoordinates: 31°40′18″N 121°29′6″E / 31.67167°N 121.48500°E |
| Type | Sports facility |
| Built | 2000 |
| Opened | 2001 |
| Owner | Xu Genbao |
| Construction cost | 30 million yuan |
Genbao Football Base (Simplified Chinese: 上海根宝足球基地) is the training ground of Shanghai East Asia F.C. and home to Genbao Football Academy. It is located in Chongming County, Shanghai, China. The base is named after its founder and owner, Xu Genbao, a prominent Chinese football manager and a former international footballer.
The construction of the base started in 2000, after Xu Genbao quit his managerial position at Dalian Shide F.C. in 1999 and determined to devote himself to youth football. Inspired by Manchester United F.C.'s success in late 1990s as a result of its successful youth development, Xu carved on a big rock at the front gate of the Base his ambition: "To Build a Manchester United of China". In 2000, the Base, while still under construction, saw the first batch of young players aged between 11-12 enrolled into Genbao Football Academy. Some of them would later be promoted to Shanghai East Asia F.C., which would be founded by Xu Genbao in 2005.
Inside the Base, there are three and a half standard size football pitch, as well as an indoor football arena covered with artificial turf.
The site covers a total area of 4.7 hectares and is adjacent to Dongping National Forest Park.