11/07/2023
Manchester United Academy U16 squad in town as Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit returns
Organised by The Hong Kong Jockey Club (¡§the Club¡¨), the Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit (¡§the Summit¡¨) is making a comeback after a four-year hiatus and will be held in Hong Kong from 6 to 13 August.
The Manchester United Academy U16 team along with the Hong Kong, China U18 Representative Team and Hong Kong, China Youth Select Team, will participate in a series of training sessions, friendly matches and cultural activities, including visits to Tai Kwun, the Hong Kong Palace Museum as well as community service, during their stay. The Summit provides the young players with a platform to excel through the range of ¡§Play Together, Learn Together and Train Together¡¨ activities.
The Manchester United Academy U16 team will play against the Hong Kong, China U18 Representative Team and the Hong Kong, China Youth Select team on 9 and 12 August, respectively. As major events of the ¡§Happy Hong Kong¡¨ campaign, launched by the HKSAR Government, both matches will be held at Mong Kok Stadium and include a variety of entertainment features and performances to provide enjoyment and relaxation for residents. Free tickets to the matches will be offered to the public online upon registration*.
Manchester United legends Diego Forlán and Nemanja Vidić will also join the Summit to show their support for the young players and participate in the exchange activities. Local football fans will have the chance of a lifetime to meet with the two legends at the matches.
The Club¡¦s Executive Director, Membership, Brand, Marketing and Experience Anthony Ingham said at the Academy Summit announcement event: ¡§The Hong Kong Jockey Club has been actively promoting youth development through football for years. Following Hong Kong¡¦s return to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic, we are excited to host the Academy Summit again. It provides a platform for elite youth players from different backgrounds to learn from each other, deepen their appreciation of each other's cultures, and nurture respect for diversity, which is essential to their all-round development.¡¨
Nick Cox, Manchester United's Director of Academy, said: ¡§This will be the third time the Manchester United Academy has visited Hong Kong, having attended previous Academy Summits in 2017 and 2018. The young players participating in this year¡¦s event have a unique opportunity to not only play overseas against opponents they have never faced before, but also learn about different cultures and lifestyles. It'll be an experience that will stay with them for a lifetime, no matter where their path leads. Thank you to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for creating this experience and inviting the Manchester United Academy to be a part of it.¡¨
Eric Fok, the Chairman of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, said: ¡§We are delighted to receive the Manchester United Academy again. It will be a precious opportunity for young players to engage in football and cultural exchange. Playing with one of the best football academies in the English Premier League will be an absolutely unforgettable experience for our young players. On behalf of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, I would like to thank The Hong Kong Jockey Club for its commitment to youth development and wish the Youth Academy Summit 2023 great success.¡¨
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a long-term supporter of football development, which can have a positive impact on society. 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.
*Ticket registration for the Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit matches will open at 10 am on 12 July 2023 (Wednesday). For event details, terms and conditions, please refer to our event website at hkjc.com/WithYou. Please note that tickets are limited and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
Attachment: The Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit Event Details
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. Please visit www.hkjc.com
Photo captions
Photo 1: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director, Membership, Brand, Marketing and Experience Anthony Ingham (centre); Manchester United Foundation CEO John Shiels MBE (right); Board of Director of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China Johnny Woo (left) attend the Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit announcement event today. The Summit will be held in Hong Kong from 6 to 13 August.
Photo 2: The Manchester United Academy U16 team, along with the Hong Kong, China U18 Representative Team and Hong Kong, China Youth Select Team, will participate in a series of training sessions, friendly matches and cultural activities, including visits to Tai Kwun, the Hong Kong Palace Museum as well as community service, during their stay in Hong Kong.
Photo 3 & 4: Ticket holders will have a chance to meet and greet Manchester United legends Diego Forlán (Photo 3) and Nemanja Vidić (Photo 4).
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Photos can be downloaded from The Hong Kong Jockey Club website (http://corporate.hkjc.com/corporate/english/corporate-news/index.aspx).
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