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 Hong Kong Jockey Club-supported Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour, part of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign, held its Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition Launch Ceremony today (16 May) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. The exhibition showcases horse sculptures created by renowned artist Simon Ma and the works are on a year-long tour of Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, symbolising unity between the Club and the community.

Horse sculptures created by renowned artist Simon Ma, are on show at the piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from today until 21 May.

Guests in attendance at the launch ceremony included Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Winfried Engelbrecht‑Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and artist Simon Ma.

Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare (3rd right); Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd left); renowned artist Simon Ma (2nd right); Eric Lee, Yau Tsim Mong District Officer (1st right); Wong Kwok Hing, Commissioner of Correctional Services (2nd left) at the Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition Launch Ceremony as part of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign.

The Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza runs from today until 21 May. The exhibition will then tour Tamar Park in Admiralty, as well as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and other locations. Through art and community engagement, it offers more citizens the opportunity to experience the unique charm of horse culture combined with contemporary art. The exhibition also features a nighttime horse-themed light show, highlighting the dynamic movement and power of galloping horses.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Today’s launch ceremony also saw the announcement of the winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition, launched by the Club in conjunction with Ma. A renowned interdisciplinary artist from Hong Kong, Ma is dedicated to promoting cultural and artistic exchange between East and West, with the horse serving as a significant creative symbol representing strength, unity and the spirit of heritage. As part of the Club’s 140th anniversary celebrations, thousands of young people - from kindergarten to university level – created artworks for the competition, drawing inspiration from the equine paintings of pioneering Chinese artist Xu Beihong. The competition comprised ten categories, with 30 winners or winning teams selected.

Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (7th right) presented awards to winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition.

Almost 100 (TBC) award-winning students from the “Horse With You” Art Competition - launched by the Club in conjunction with Simon Ma – together with mentees of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme and underprivileged students, joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Almost 100 (TBC) award-winning students from the “Horse With You” Art Competition - launched by the Club in conjunction with Simon Ma – together with mentees of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme and underprivileged students, joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong. It also promotes tourism as well as equine and sports development. Racing is not only the city’s favourite pastime, but also a symbol of its “can-do” spirit and stability under One Country, Two Systems. Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city. None of this would be possible without the horse. For more information, please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.

Guests posed a group photo with winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition.