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Constructing the Function of Provincial Football Leagues in China: Official Narratives, Public Discourse, and Local Governance —A Case Study of the Jiangsu Provincial City Football League

Sang, Zhuoya (2026) COSM40 20261
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
This study examines the function of the provincial football league in official narrative and the interpretation in public discourse. It analyzes how these perspectives reveal the governance model in contemporary China. Taking Suchao as an example, the study examines official policy documents, official media reports and public discussions on the Zhihu platform through thematic analysis. Using the application of Political Tournament Theory, Symbolic Capital, and Social Identity Theory, it is found that the official narrative regards the league as a tool for economic development, urban brand building, governance modernization and improving grassroots authenticity, while public discourse interprets the league from the perspective of... (More)
This study examines the function of the provincial football league in official narrative and the interpretation in public discourse. It analyzes how these perspectives reveal the governance model in contemporary China. Taking Suchao as an example, the study examines official policy documents, official media reports and public discussions on the Zhihu platform through thematic analysis. Using the application of Political Tournament Theory, Symbolic Capital, and Social Identity Theory, it is found that the official narrative regards the league as a tool for economic development, urban brand building, governance modernization and improving grassroots authenticity, while public discourse interprets the league from the perspective of institutional reform, local identity, emotional attachment and daily leisure. Both perspectives recognize the success of the league, but there are differences in terms of the meaning of success, public participation and institutional authority. This study expands the research on local sports governance and reveals how political incentives, institutional reform and public identity jointly shape the governance logic of provincial football leagues. More broadly, this study shows that these leagues provide a valuable perspective for understanding the evolving relationship between local governance and public participation in contemporary China. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Sang, Zhuoya
supervisor
organization
course
COSM40 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Provincial football leagues, China local governance, Sport Governance, Suchao
language
English
id
9251573
date added to LUP
2026-09-21 14:33:33
date last changed
2026-09-21 14:33:33
@misc{9251573,
  abstract     = {{This study examines the function of the provincial football league in official narrative and the interpretation in public discourse. It analyzes how these perspectives reveal the governance model in contemporary China. Taking Suchao as an example, the study examines official policy documents, official media reports and public discussions on the Zhihu platform through thematic analysis. Using the application of Political Tournament Theory, Symbolic Capital, and Social Identity Theory, it is found that the official narrative regards the league as a tool for economic development, urban brand building, governance modernization and improving grassroots authenticity, while public discourse interprets the league from the perspective of institutional reform, local identity, emotional attachment and daily leisure. Both perspectives recognize the success of the league, but there are differences in terms of the meaning of success, public participation and institutional authority. This study expands the research on local sports governance and reveals how political incentives, institutional reform and public identity jointly shape the governance logic of provincial football leagues. More broadly, this study shows that these leagues provide a valuable perspective for understanding the evolving relationship between local governance and public participation in contemporary China.}},
  author       = {{Sang, Zhuoya}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Constructing the Function of Provincial Football Leagues in China: Official Narratives, Public Discourse, and Local Governance —A Case Study of the Jiangsu Provincial City Football League}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}