About HKJC
Manchester United Academy U16 squad say farewell to Hong Kong as the JC Youth Football Academy Summit comes to an end
08/13/2024
This year’s JC Youth Football Academy Summit has officially wrapped up with the Manchester United Academy U16 squad leaving Hong Kong last night (12 August). The successful week-long summit saw the visitors and local youth players participate in several cultural activities and football exchanges.
Highlights of the summit included two friendly matches, with the squad playing against Premier Youth League Select and the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team at Mong Kok Stadium, attracting a total of more than 9,000 spectators. Fans also had thrilling opportunities to meet and greet Manchester United legends John O’Shea and Dimitar Berbatov and have their photos taken with the FA Cup, won this year by Manchester United.
Besides the friendly matches and football training, the summit offered the young players a variety of cultural activities and opportunities for community service, allowing them to give back to society.
Launched in 2017, the summit is a collaboration between The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Manchester United and The Football Association of Hong Kong, China. It provides a platform for young players to learn new skills and helps develop their physical, mental and social capabilities through “Play Together”, “Learn Together”, and “Train Together” activities. This reflects a shared belief that broadening the horizons of young people is crucial to their well-rounded development.
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 HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2022/23, the Club returned a total of HK$35.9 billion to the community. This included HK$28.6 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$7.3 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 one of the world’s top ten charity donors.
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Manchester United legend Dimitar Berbatov (Photo 1, centre) and the Manchester United Academy U16 squad and Hong Kong teams’ players spend the day engaged in community service on 12 August by helping some 100 primary school students brush up their football skills at the Sha Tin Racecourse Sports Ground.
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The two friendly matches under the JC Youth Football Academy Summit attracted more than 9,000 spectators.
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The first friendly match of the JC Youth Football Academy Summit was held on 9 August at Mong Kok Stadium, with Premier Youth League Select playing against the Manchester United Academy U16 squad.
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The Manchester United Academy U16 squad beat Premier Youth League Select 1-0 (photo 5) and gained another victory in this year’s summit with a 3-0 win over the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team (photo 6).
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Manchester United legend John O’Shea attends the match at Mong Kok Stadium on 9 August and receives a warm welcome from fans.
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Manchester United legend Dimitar Berbatov makes an appearance during the friendly match at Mong Kok Stadium on 11 August.
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Guests pose for photo with the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team and the Manchester United Academy U16 squad after the friendly match on 11 August.
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CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team organises balloon twisting, bringing more joy to participants at the friendly matches.
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HKSAR Government Commissioner for Sports Sam Wong visits the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team’s balloon twisting booth after officiating at the first friendly match on 9 August and receives a special gift of balloon figures wearing jerseys representing Manchester United and The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
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The FA Cup trophy, won this year by Manchester United, goes on display in Hong Kong.
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A variety of game booths and activities on the match days gave the public much to enjoy.
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The Manchester United Academy U16 squad and young local players engage in some fun traditional dragon dancing on 8 August.
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The Manchester United Academy U16 squad and young local players participate in a thrilling wushu and nunchaku activity, helping to soothe their nerves ahead of the friendly matches.
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The Manchester United Academy U16 squad makes it up the steps to the Big Buddha.
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The Manchester United Academy U16 squad and the local youth players experience dragon boat racing on 12 August, marking an end to this year’s JC Youth Football Academy Summit.