Copies of ancient and unusual balls, stone carvings and pottery attracted most interest among the feast of soccer-related exhibits from FIFA and famous soccer playing countries and regions at the Charming Football Exhibition in Hamburg, Germany for the 2006 World Cup.

This object is called a Cuju . It's the forerunner of today's footballs and was first used in the game of the same name played in China over 2,500 years ago, as FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter recognizes.

 Development of Cuju

Centuries before football appeared in Europe, the Chinese had already been practicing kicking balls with their feet to score points in organized matches known as Cuju. In Chinese, cu means "kicking the ball with feet" and ju, "a stuffed ball made of hide."

Cuju became popular during the Warring States Period (476-221BC). Back then, Cuju was used to train military cavaliers due to the fierce nature of the sport.

Cuju in the Han Dynasty

During the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24 AD) the game of Cuju was played on fields enclosed by walls and supervised by judges following prescribed rules. Unlike modern football matches, there were 12 goals, six on each end of the field. There were 12 players on each side, six guarding each goal and the other six kicking and passing the ball on the field. The ball was made of soft hide and stuffed with hair.

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