Players enter the pitch ahead of the opening match of the 2020 season of the Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Dalian Division between Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai Shenhua in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning province, July 25, 2020. (PAN YULONG / XINHUA)

BEIJING - The return of the 2020 season of the Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) suddenly faced a tough choice on July 22 when the backlash of COVID-19 cases emerged in Dalian city of Liaoning province, one of its host cities.

On Saturday, the kick-off whistle in the season-opener match was blown as scheduled in Dalian.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has promised the league would only start in safe environment. The decision of following the original plan seems risky, but the choice shouldn't be called bold with all precautions including quarantine rules, traceable food chain and repeated nucleic acid tests.

The resumption of the Chinese Super League would be a good example for all to see how host cities can control the virus while resuming sports activities

"We have taken this situation into account when making the resumption plan," said Qi Jun, the CSL official responsible for virus-control issues.

"We only need to carry on our works and examinations more carefully."

ALSO READ: CSL steps up precautions after new COVID-19 cases in Dalian

Before the CSL announced its resumption, the Chinese football governing body invited top epidemiologists as its consultant, finished investigation in nine potential competing cities prior to choosing Dalian and Suzhou city of Jiangsu province, and compiled a 132-page resumption guidance.

"The CSL's return is such a precious result," said Liu Yi, the secretary general of CFA.

The Chinese sports industry is recovering from the shock cause by epidemic, and the CSL's kick-off whistle means a lot.

One month ago, Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league's resumption in June marked the restarting point of China's professional sports after the COVID-19 outbreak.

READ MORE: CBA's safe return lifts the spirits

The CSL should be a better example for all to see how host cities can manage risks and balance sports recovery and epidemic control.

If the current plan works, the experience from China's top flight football league could be widely copied. It may also encourage local governments to carry out more flexible and efficient policy to activate the sports industry.

On the other hand, the detailed works to bring back professional football in China under current restrictions, limitations and uncertainties should also opportunities for provide all bodies involved in CSL to review the inside laws of professional football.

"No matter how difficult it is, we should respect and follow the nature and laws of football," promised Chen Xuyuan, the CFA's president.

Apart from the most stringent anti-epidemic measures taken for the CSL, another major difference was the competition system.

Just like the CBA, the championship format has proven that it was an essential code in China's professional leagues' return, which can reduce risks caused by frequent cross-city travel in such a big country.

This format could also save players and team staffs from being overwhelmed by the hectic pace between matches.

According to Chen, the change in format was made because the CFA realized that it was impossible to finish a whole 30-round season in four months.

Besides the format change, the setting of two competing phases and flexible starting time of the second phase provide a reasonable gap for the national teams' recruitment.

"The successful restart of Chinese Super League will show the new image of Chinese football," Chen said.

The CSL could be said to be the most disciplined professional league in the world.

In order to keep the whole team motivated, several clubs have set strict living rules to eliminate external interference, so that players only have to concentrate on competing and training. 

On the other hand, the organizers have also done a good job in preparation for psychological counseling, team entertainment and other humane measures to help players to get through this time.

READ MORE: CFA official concerned about CSL players' mental health

A positive trend also showed as clubs spent their budget more wisely. 

Just like the CSL's resumption slogan "Igniting billions hearts," the ultimate benefit of restarting CSL now is that it will occupy an unprecedented importance in people's entertainment, given the fact that there had been a half-year drought of sports and public entertainment.

On the first competition day, the huge number of spectators watching the live stream proved that the CSL is the most exciting and eye-catching sports resumption in China. 

Enjoying the pure pleasure of the long-lost CSL matches is a good way to overcome the stressful times. Perhaps, it may become a special reconciliation between fans and Chinese football.