The 22nd Bei Bei Cup Soccer Competition for Teenagers, hosted by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), the Chinese Football Association, and the government of Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, took place in Phoenix town, Zhangjiagang on July 9.
Jing Dunquan, vice-chairman of CSCLF, Liu Xifu, director of the Department for Young People of the Chinese Football Association, Lin Feng, secretary-general of the Jiangsu Football Association, Cheng Junhong, deputy director of the Suzhou Sports Bureau, Pan Guoqiang, mayor of Zhangjiagang, and Wang Yu, deputy mayor of Zhangjiahang, attended the opening ceremony.
Jing Dunquan, vice-chairman of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), delivers a speech at the opening ceremony for the 22nd Bei Bei Cup Soccer Competition for Teenagers. [Photo/CSCLF]
Jing Dunquan, vice-chairman of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. He said that CSCLF will remain committed to promoting soccer among young people and strengthening exchanges between teenagers.
Wang Yu, deputy mayor of Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony for the 22nd Bei Bei Cup Soccer Competition for Teenagers. [Photo/CSCLF]
Wang Yu, deputy mayor of Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony for the 22nd Bei Bei Cup Soccer Competition for Teenagers. She encouraged participants to give it their all during the competition.
Liu Xifu, director of the Department for Young People at the Chinese Football Association, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony for the 22nd Bei Bei Cup Soccer Competition for Teenagers. [Photo/CSCLF]
Liu Xifu, director of the Department for Young People at the Chinese Football Association, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony for the 22nd Bei Bei Cup Soccer Competition for Teenagers. He put a heavy emphasis on promoting soccer among teenager and expressed hope thatparticipants would seize upon the opportunity to enjoy the sport and improve their skills.
A boy makes a pledge at the opening ceremony for the 22nd Bei Bei Cup Soccer Competition for Teenagers. [Photo/CSCLF]
A judge makes a pledge at the opening ceremony for the 22nd Bei Bei Cup Soccer Competition for Teenagers. [Photo/CSCLF]
A total of 16 teams participated in the competition, including the top three teams from last year's competition and 10 teams selected from soccer training centers or associations from across China. The organizing committee also invited soccer teams from Guizhou province and Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture to participate in the event in an attempt to give more opportunities to young soccer players from less developed areas.
Participants huddle during a match. [Photo/CSCLF]
Young boys during a match [Photo/CSCLF]
A player looks to score during a match. [Photo/cSCLF]
The event started on July 9 and will end on July 13 and a total of 48 competitions will be held. Children gave a variety of performances during the opening ceremony.
Children perform a dance during the opening ceremony for the 22nd Bei Bei Cup Soccer Competition for Teenagers. [Photo/CSCLF]
Children dance during the opening ceremony for the 22nd Bei Bei Cup Soccer Competition for Teenagers. [Photo/CSCLF]
Children perform at the opening ceremony for the 22nd Bei Bei Cup Soccer Competition for Teenagers. [Photo/CSCLF]
Background
In August 1983, the first Bei Bei Cup Soccer Competition for Children took place in Phoenix town, Zhangjiagang. Over the past 18 years, the event has been hosted in 12 cities, including Shanghai, Lanzhou, Guiyang, and Yanji Korean autonomous prefecture. It is one of China's oldest national soccer events and has played a significant role in promoting soccer among teenagers.
(Source: Fund Department of CSCLF)
