On a sandy slope in Kekedala, Xinjiang, coach Turhongjiang Tuheti stopped training, gathered a dozen young football players around him, and gestured with their feet on the sand.
"Catch it in the midfield, there's no problem."
"Let go of the midfield, it's over."
This Uyghur man speaks Mandarin, which is not very fluent, just so that the children of Uyghur, Han, Hui, Daur and other ethnic groups on the team can understand the tactics.
The children scrambled together and couldn't tell each other apart. But when asked about dreams, the answers are surprisingly consistent: "When I grow up, I want to play in the World Cup."
Grassroots coach with more than 400 dolls
"90% of the dolls in the Sixty-fourth Regiment are my apprentices."
Tur Hongjiang, 50, is an employee of the 14th Company of the 64th Regiment in Kekedala City, the 4th Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Over the past 20 years, more than 400 Xinjiang teenagers have followed his whistle.
At the football field of the 64th Regiment Middle School, Tur Hongjiang took the stage to demonstrate.
The Sixty-fourth Regiment is located on the border between China and Kazakhstan, and the life and entertainment options available to the teenagers are far less than those in big cities. After dropping out of junior high school at the age of 16, Turhongjiang played soccer in the sandpit until dark after returning from herding sheep. In 1999, he won the championship on behalf of the 64th Regiment. He originally wanted to embark on a professional path, but was forced to "retire" due to a leg injury.
"I can't play professionally, so I just want to teach these skills to my children." In this way, he became the grassroots coach of the team.
With funding from various parties, the 14th Company will have its first professional venue in 2023. In September this year, Turhongjiang was hired as a coach by the 64th Regiment Middle School. At 5:30 pm every working day, the school football field becomes a training ground, allowing more people to hear the whistle.
"I have a dream"
Also in September, 11-year-old Abdul Aiziz was selected by a professional football organization in Shandong due to his outstanding performance.
"I'm so happy. This is something I didn't dare to think about in the first few years." In recent years, Turhongjiang has started to work as a self-media, and many clubs from other provinces have come here. He said that this year alone, three children have entered professional clubs.
Ikosan Tiipujiang (second from left) on the court.
The 12-year-old Yikesan Tiipujiang can hit more than 1,000 balls in a row and is a little "internet celebrity" in the 14th consecutive game. In addition to going to school and training, he also helps his parents take care of the small shop. His ideal is to become the main force of the national brand like Wumitjiang Yusup.
"In the U23 Asian Cup, he saved a team." In his eyes, going out for the country is a hero.
"They still have a lot of possibilities"
There is a video call stored in Tur Hongjiang’s mobile phone. On the other side of the screen is his "son" Xiang Jinfu, who he has supported for four years.
"Bhaitiar, how have you been lately?"
"Mom and Dad, I want to eat home cooked food."
Baihetiyar is a Uyghur name given by Xiang Jinfu himself, which means happiness and contentment.
In September, Xiang Jinfu was admitted to Heilongjiang Institute of Technology, and the couple raised the tuition fee: "It is important for the children to go to school, and we will pay for it."
Tur Hongjiang always remembers that when he was a child, his family needed help from neighbors of all ethnic groups. Han bosses gave him food on credit, and Kazakh friends helped look after the house. Now, it's his turn to help others.
He also has two wishes. One is for himself - to learn Mandarin well and obtain a D-level football coaching certificate; the other is for his children - Kokedala's baby to step out and stand on the world stage.
"I can't play, they still have many possibilities." He said. (over)
