Manchester United Academy U16 team bids farewell to Hong Kong as JC Youth Football Academy Summit comes to an end

The Manchester United Academy U16 team departs Hong Kong today (August 18), officially bringing this year’s JC Youth Football Academy Summit to an end. During the successful week-long event, the visitors joined local youth players in a number of football and cultural activities.

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel (left) joins the Manchester United Academy U16 team and Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team in community service, helping primary school students brush up their football skills at the Sha Tin Racecourse Sports Ground.

As well as on-pitch games and training, the summit provided young athletes with opportunities for community service, enabling them to give back to society. Earlier today, the Manchester United Academy U16 team, together with the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team and Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, engaged with more than 100 primary school students at the Sha Tin Racecourse Sports Ground to help them brush up their football skills.

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel joins the Manchester United Academy U16 team and Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team in community service, helping primary school students brush up their football skills at the Sha Tin Racecourse Sports Ground.

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel joins the Manchester United Academy U16 team and Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team in community service, helping primary school students brush up their football skills at the Sha Tin Racecourse Sports Ground.

A key highlight of the summit was two friendly matches. The second match was held last night (17 August) between the Manchester United Academy U16 team and the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team at Mong Kok Stadium. An opening ceremony for the match was officiated by George Tsoi, HKSAR Government Commissioner for Sports of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; Freely Cheng, Club Head of External Affairs; David Vincent, Partnerships Director of Manchester United; Eric Fok, Chairman of The Football Association of Hong Kong, China; and Jason Lee, 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.

Manchester United legend Phil Jones (4th right, first row) shares football training skills with coaches participating in the JC School Football Development Scheme’s Coaches Workshop.

The match attracted more than 4,500 spectators and featured a special meet-and-greet opportunity with Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel. Both teams delivered an exhilarating performance, with the Manchester team winning 7-1.

Members of the Manchester United Academy U16 team with young local players and Manchester United legend Phil Jones on a visit to the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

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 also included 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 service opportunities.

Manchester United Academy U16 team bids farewell to Hong Kong as JC Youth Football Academy Summit comes to an end.

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.