The first friendly match of the JC Youth Football Academy Summit took place tonight (August 15) at Mong Kok Stadium before an enthusiastic crowd of over 4,700 spectators. The Hong Kong Premier Youth League Select Team took on the visiting Manchester United Academy U16 Team in an exciting game with plenty of footballing skills on show. The match went into a penalty shootout after 90 minutes with the score tied at 3-3. The Manchester United Academy U16 Team won with a final scoreline of 7-6.

This year, the opening ceremony was officiated by Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam, Partnerships Director of Manchester United David Vincent, Director of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China Jonny Woo, and 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of the Community Services Committee of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Jason Lee.

The friendly match was accompanied by a variety of entertainment, with game booths and performances for the public enjoyment, including the Manchester United booth and the CARE@hkjc team balloon twisting booth. Local football fans had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Manchester United legend Phil Jones. During the halftime break he joined Anson Kong@MIRROR and onsite game winners for a display of footballing skills on the pitch.

Organised by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the JC Youth Football Academy Summit is being held in Hong Kong from 11 to 18 August. The Manchester United Academy U16 Team will play the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team in the Summit’s second friendly match at Mong Kok Stadium on Sunday (17 August).

The Club has been a Hong Kong Community Football Partner of Manchester United since 2012, launching programmes to support youth development at school, community and elite levels. The JC Youth Football Academy Summit, launched in 2017, is a collaboration between the Club, Manchester United and the Football Association of Hong Kong, China. It is supported by funding from the Club’s Charities Trust, with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals assisting in the operation of this year’s programme. The programme includes a visit to the Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, as well as a dragon boat experience and a series of training sessions and community

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 2023/24, the Club returned a total of HK$40.1 billion to the community. This included HK$29.9 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$10.2 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 leading charity donors.