The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) announced at a launch ceremony today (9 July) that this year’s JC Youth Football Academy Summit will take place from 10 to 17 August. The Manchester United Academy U16 squad will visit Hong Kong and join young local players in a week-long football and cultural exchange programme. The highlight of the summit will be two friendly matches, with young players from both sides showcasing their skills on the pitch.
Guests in attendance at the launch ceremony included Casper Stylsvig, Executive Director, Sports Business of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; David Vincent, Partnerships Director of Manchester United; Manchester United legend Dimitar Berbatov; John Morling, Technical Director of The Football Association of Hong Kong, China; and Jennifer Yeung, 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
The two matches are scheduled to take place on 14 and 16 August at Mong Kok Stadium. The first match will be between the Manchester United Academy U16 squad and the Hong Kong Premier Youth League U18 Champions – Kitchee. The second match will feature the visiting team versus the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team. Members of the public can register online at charities.hkjc.com from 10:00 am on 13 July (Monday) to obtain free tickets for the matches (each person can register maximum 4 tickets for each match). On-site activities will also include game booths, photo opportunities and live performances, creating a vibrant atmosphere for football fans.
During the summit, two Manchester United legends – former captain Antonio Valencia and former defender Jaap Stam - will also visit Hong Kong. They will join young players in exchange activities and appear at the matches respectively to meet and interact with fans, further heightening the excitement at the stadium.
Shaping young talent on and off the pitch
Officiating at the ceremony, Casper Stylsvig, Executive Director, Sports Business of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said football offers young players a valuable opportunity – not only to develop their skills, but also to build discipline and perseverance. The summit provides training and exchange opportunities, helping to strengthen young people’s self-belief. He added that, as a world-class equine sports organisation, the Club has donated close to HK$6.7 billion to support sports development at both elite and community levels. The Club is also committed to supporting major “M” Mark sports events, reinforcing the city’s status as a world-class hub for international sports and entertainment.
David Vincent, Partnerships Director of Manchester United, stated that football has the transformative power to inspire and develop young people. The JC Youth Football Academy Summit provides a truly unique platform for young footballers from both Manchester and Hong Kong. It's an initiative through which talent meets opportunity; where the players learn, exchange views and gain invaluable understanding of cultural differences and similarities – experiences that extend far beyond the football pitch.
John Morling, Technical Director of The Football Association of Hong Kong, China, said the JC Youth Football Academy Summit offers Hong Kong's young players a valuable platform for football and cultural exchange. The Football Association hopes that by interacting with and learning from Manchester United Academy players, they will broaden their horizons, enrich their lives, and continue to improve and progress in their football careers.
The summit is a collaboration between the Club, Manchester United and The Football Association of Hong Kong, China. It is supported with funding from the Club’s Charities Trust to Tung Wah Group of Hospitals for programme operation. The week-long programme includes a visit to the Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School, as well as a dragon boat experience and a series of training sessions and community service.
Attachment: Details of the JC Youth Football Academy Summit friendly matches
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class sports and entertainment organisation 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 2024/25, the Club returned a total of HK$39.1 billion to the community. This included HK$30.1 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$9.0 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.
