Manchester United Academy U16 squad arrives in Hong Kong for the Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit

07/08/2023 20:20

Organised by The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“the Club”), the Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit kicked off yesterday (6 August) and will run until 13 August. The Manchester United Academy U16 squad arrived in Hong Kong yesterday to participate in the week-long cultural and football exchange programme with local players. The programme aims to provide the youngsters with a platform to excel through a series of “Play Together, Learn Together and Train Together” activities.

The young Manchester United players will compete against the Hong Kong, China U18 Representative Team and the Hong Kong, China Youth Select Team on 9 and 12 August, respectively, in what promise to be two exciting matches. As major events of the “Happy Hong Kong” campaign, launched by the HKSAR Government, both matches will be held at Mong Kok Stadium and feature a variety of entertainment with game booths and performances for the public to enjoy.

During the Summit, the visitors and local players will have the opportunity to get to know each other and experience Chinese customs. They will combine in different groups to go dragon boating at Middle Island with the aim of strengthening team spirit. Other cultural activities on the itinerary include visits to Tai Kwun, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and Lantau Island, to foster an understanding of Hong Kong’s past and present. Through these Chinese-themed activities, participants will have the chance to broaden their horizons and social circles.

Manchester United legends Diego Forlán and Nemanja Vidić will also join the Summit and participate in various training and cultural activities. In particular, Vidić and Manchester United coaches will share their international-level training experience with local coaches and participating teachers of the JC School Football Development Scheme. In addition, they will organise football activities with the young players for local students to stimulate their interest in the sport. These activities have the power to connect society through community football development, benefitting people from all walks of life and having a positive influence on young people.

The Club is a long-term supporter of football development. Launched in 2017, the Summit is a collaboration between the Club, Manchester United and the Football Association of Hong Kong, China. It aims to encourage youth development, combining cultural exchange, creative inspiration and athletic training, enabling participants to broaden their horizons and social circles by interacting with different people and ideas.

Since 2012, the Club has been a community football partner of Manchester United in Hong Kong, launching various projects, including the Jockey Club Youth Football Elite Training Camp, Jockey Club School Football Development Scheme and Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme, among others, to promote youth development through modern football training.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2021/22, the Club returned a total of HK$33.6 billion to the community. This included HK$27.0 billion to the Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$6.6 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.