Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit to host Manchester United’s youngsters for sport-themed carnival and cultural exchange
[Sponsored article]
The Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit returns to Hong Kong in August after a four-year hiatus, and promises to give young players and football fans a taste of international competition during fun-filled community events.
The Summit, launched in 2017 by The Hong Kong Jockey Club in partnership with The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) and Manchester United, aims to help young local footballers broaden their horizons through a combination of athletic training and cultural exchange.
The summer programme will see the city’s budding footballers put their skills to the test against visiting youth players in two friendly matches open to the public. Both will feature the Manchester United Academy U16 squad, which takes to the pitch against the Hong Kong, China U18 Representative Team on August 9 and the Hong Kong, China Youth Select Team on August 12.
The friendlies, to be held at Mong Kok Stadium, will allow these elite youth players to demonstrate their athletic talents and techniques in front of an energetic crowd of spectators. For football fans in Hong Kong, the matches present a rare opportunity to enjoy football of a professional standard.
In addition to the football action, the matches of the Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit will feature appearances by two legends of the sport, along with live entertainment, Instagrammable moments and exclusive souvenirs, making for a carnival-like experience suitable for all ages.
Attending as special guests will be Manchester United legends Diego Forlan of Uruguay and Nemanja Vidic of Serbia. Regarded as one of the best forwards of his generation, Forlan is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe, and also played for Hong Kong’s Kitchee Sports Club in 2018. Vidic, who was captain of Manchester United from 2011 to 2014, has been hailed as one of the greatest defenders in the history of the sport.
Also making the trip to Hong Kong is the trophy from one of England’s most renowned domestic competitions, the Carabao Cup. Held by current champion Manchester United, this coveted trophy, also known as the EFL Cup, will be flown in from the UK and go on display for fans to admire and photograph. Additional photo ops will be available, including a mock Manchester United dressing room and visits by Fred the Red, the football team’s mascot, and Captain JC, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s own mascot.
Upon entry to Mong Kok Stadium for each of the Summit’s football matches, spectators will receive a specially designed cheering towel, which they can wave to show support to the young players. There will also be game booths where visitors can have fun along with the chance to win prizes.
Live entertainment will add to the festive atmosphere, with popular Hong Kong singer-songwriters Gareth.T and Kaho Hung scheduled to fill the stadium with lively tunes and hype up the crowd.
The Summit is just one example of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s ongoing mission to bring people together through a shared love of sport. The Club first established the Jockey Club Youth Football Development Programme in 2012, collaborating with partners including Manchester United and the HKFA on various initiatives spanning elite, school and community levels of football.
That collaboration has brought about numerous schemes and events which seek to help young people grow physically, mentally and socially via football, and enable them to reach their full potential. It was in this spirit that the Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit was created.
The Summit is the first such event of its kind in Hong Kong, serving as a platform for the city’s young footballers to gain an understanding of cultural differences while also developing their athletic skills with the visiting Manchester United Academy players. But it also offers benefits to Hong Kong’s wider society, through community service activities as well as the two highly anticipated public football matches that are set to showcase and celebrate the sport.
[Sponsored article]
The Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit returns to Hong Kong in August after a four-year hiatus, and promises to give young players and football fans a taste of international competition during fun-filled community events.
The Summit, launched in 2017 by The Hong Kong Jockey Club in partnership with The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) and Manchester United, aims to help young local footballers broaden their horizons through a combination of athletic training and cultural exchange.
The summer programme will see the city’s budding footballers put their skills to the test against visiting youth players in two friendly matches open to the public. Both will feature the Manchester United Academy U16 squad, which takes to the pitch against the Hong Kong, China U18 Representative Team on August 9 and the Hong Kong, China Youth Select Team on August 12.
The friendlies, to be held at Mong Kok Stadium, will allow these elite youth players to demonstrate their athletic talents and techniques in front of an energetic crowd of spectators. For football fans in Hong Kong, the matches present a rare opportunity to enjoy football of a professional standard.
In addition to the football action, the matches of the Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit will feature appearances by two legends of the sport, along with live entertainment, Instagrammable moments and exclusive souvenirs, making for a carnival-like experience suitable for all ages.
Attending as special guests will be Manchester United legends Diego Forlan of Uruguay and Nemanja Vidic of Serbia. Regarded as one of the best forwards of his generation, Forlan is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe, and also played for Hong Kong’s Kitchee Sports Club in 2018. Vidic, who was captain of Manchester United from 2011 to 2014, has been hailed as one of the greatest defenders in the history of the sport.
Also making the trip to Hong Kong is the trophy from one of England’s most renowned domestic competitions, the Carabao Cup. Held by current champion Manchester United, this coveted trophy, also known as the EFL Cup, will be flown in from the UK and go on display for fans to admire and photograph. Additional photo ops will be available, including a mock Manchester United dressing room and visits by Fred the Red, the football team’s mascot, and Captain JC, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s own mascot.
Upon entry to Mong Kok Stadium for each of the Summit’s football matches, spectators will receive a specially designed cheering towel, which they can wave to show support to the young players. There will also be game booths where visitors can have fun along with the chance to win prizes.
Live entertainment will add to the festive atmosphere, with popular Hong Kong singer-songwriters Gareth.T and Kaho Hung scheduled to fill the stadium with lively tunes and hype up the crowd.
The Summit is just one example of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s ongoing mission to bring people together through a shared love of sport. The Club first established the Jockey Club Youth Football Development Programme in 2012, collaborating with partners including Manchester United and the HKFA on various initiatives spanning elite, school and community levels of football.
That collaboration has brought about numerous schemes and events which seek to help young people grow physically, mentally and socially via football, and enable them to reach their full potential. It was in this spirit that the Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit was created.
The Summit is the first such event of its kind in Hong Kong, serving as a platform for the city’s young footballers to gain an understanding of cultural differences while also developing their athletic skills with the visiting Manchester United Academy players. But it also offers benefits to Hong Kong’s wider society, through community service activities as well as the two highly anticipated public football matches that are set to showcase and celebrate the sport.
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