Manchester United Academy U16 players arrive in Hong Kong as JC Youth Football Academy Summit gets underway

The JC Youth Football Academy Summit, organised by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, commenced with the arrival of 24 Manchester United Academy U16 squad members on Sunday (10 August). The visiting youngsters will participate in a week-long cultural and football exchange programme with local Hong Kong players.

Manchester United Academy U16 players arrive in Hong Kong as JC Youth Football Academy Summit gets underway.

As part of the visit, the team will play two friendly matches – the first against the Premier Youth League Select team on 15 August, followed by the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team on 17 August. Both matches will take place at Mong Kok Stadium.

Ahead of the opening match, the Manchester United Academy U16 team took part in joint training sessions yesterday and today (12-13 August) at the Jockey Club HKFA Football Training Centre, first with the Premier Youth League Select team and then with the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative team.

Ahead of the opening match, the Manchester United Academy U16 team took part in joint training sessions yesterday and today (12-13 August) at the Jockey Club HKFA Football Training Centre, first with the Premier Youth League Select team and then with the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative team. Under the guidance of coaches from Manchester United’s youth academy, the players engaged in group drills to prepare for the friendly matches. Manchester United legend Phil Jones was also present today, to show support and offer encouragement.

Ahead of the opening match, the Manchester United Academy U16 team took part in joint training sessions yesterday and today (12-13 August) at the Jockey Club HKFA Football Training Centre, first with the Premier Youth League Select team and then with the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative team.

Beyond football, the summit is offering cultural immersion and visits to Club facilities. The Manchester United Academy U16 team visited The Hong Kong Jockey Club Apprentice Jockeys’ School and Racing Talent Training Centre on 11 August. There, they joined a tour of the stables, observed horse grooming and experienced wooden horse riding, and were given an opportunity to interact with horses.

Beyond football, the summit is offering cultural immersion and visits to Club facilities. The Manchester United Academy U16 team visited The Hong Kong Jockey Club Apprentice Jockeys’ School and Racing Talent Training Centre on 11 August.

There, they joined a tour of the stables, observed horse grooming and experienced wooden horse riding, and were given an opportunity to interact with horses.

There, they joined a tour of the stables, observed horse grooming and experienced wooden horse riding, and were given an opportunity to interact with horses.

Yesterday, the young athletes enjoyed a Dragon Boat Experience Day, deepening their understanding of Chinese culture through hands-on experience, while developing their teamwork and communication skills.

Yesterday, the young athletes enjoyed a Dragon Boat Experience Day, deepening their understanding of Chinese culture through hands-on experience.

Yesterday, the young athletes enjoyed a Dragon Boat Experience Day, deepening their understanding of Chinese culture through hands-on experience.

The Club continues to play a leading role in nurturing local football talent through the JC Youth Football Academy Summit. The summit is a collaboration launched in 2017 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 Tung Wah Group of Hospitals assisting in the operation of this year’s programme. Reflecting a shared commitment to holistic youth development, the summit offers a series of “Play Together”, “Learn Together” and “Train Together” activities that help the young players build their physical, mental and social capabilities, while broadening their horizons and unleashing their potential.

Yesterday the young athletes enjoyed a Dragon Boat Experience Day, deepening their understanding of Chinese culture through hands-on experience, while developing their teamwork and communication skills.

The TWGHs “iRun” – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026 (iRun) took place today (11 January) along the Central and Western District Promenade and Lung Wo Road. This year, the event, supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, saw a record turnout of over 5,500 runners of varying abilities and their pair-up partners joined the fun while promoting social inclusion.

Over 5,500 runners, including participants of varying abilities and their pair-up partners, participated in iRun 2026 to promote social inclusion within the community.

Among the officiating guests cheering on the runners were HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, Club Steward Philip Lo and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (3rd left), Club Steward Philip Lo (3rd right) and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng (2nd left) officiate at the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Club Steward Philip Lo (centre) receives a souvenir from HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (left), accompanied by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee Jason Lee (right).

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (centre), Club Steward Philip Lo (right) and iRun ambassador So Wa-wai (left).

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Philip Lo emphasised that the significance of iRun extends beyond a single day of competition. The initiative provides diverse support to improve participants’ physical health and foster social inclusion. The Club has always placed great emphasis on the community’s needs, with “Health” being one of the strategic priorities of its Charity’s Trust. It consistently supports various organisations, including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), to launch initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and enhance citizens’ overall quality of life.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the starting ceremony of the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Organised by TWGHs and supported by the Trust since 2012, iRun aims to give people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of sports and become more involved with the community. 

A member of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and runner pose for a photo.

This year’s event welcomed participants not only from Hong Kong but also Beijing, Guangdong Province and Macau. Runners with intellectual disabilities were paired with volunteers in a 3km challenge race, with pre-race training sessions arranged to help pairs get to know each other. The winning teams will receive sponsorship to participate in marathons outside Hong Kong, broadening their horizons and boosting their self-esteem.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.

This year, the event once again hosted the 1km “iRun for Family”, giving children aged six to 11 with intellectual disabilities and their families the chance to enjoy sporting fun together. To further promote social inclusion, a new “1km iRun Group” race was introduced to include participants with disabilities such as visually impairment, hearing impairment or those undergoing mental rehabilitation. About 800 volunteers, including members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, participated as pair-up runners or helpers to share the joy of running.

CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners receive the trophy for the Corporate Social Inclusion Tournament.

Additionally, the “i-Runners’ Club” provides regular training for participants under the guidance of professional coaches, while “Green Marathon” elements remain integral to the event to encourage waste reduction and recycling, and advocate for environmental awareness.

The Club’s support for iRun, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.