The "Blooming Pomegranates, Blossoming Youth" China Youth Girls' Football Unity Cup was held in Kashgar, a city in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, from August 5-9. It was co-hosted by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), the National Ethnic Affairs Commission (NEAC), and the General Administration of Sport of China. The five-day tournament brought together more than 330 girls, aged 12 to 14, from 14 ethnic groups and 21 teams across the country. The sport has helped the girls cultivate friendships and promoted ethnic unity.
The China Youth Girls' Football Unity Cup kicked off on August 5. Huang Xiaowei, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, attended the opening ceremony. She also declared the tournament open. Erkin Tuniyaz, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee, and Chairman of the regional government, and Zha Xianyou, a full-time member of the NEAC, also attended. They delivered speeches. After the οpening ceremony, the attendees enjoyed splendid artistic performances, followed by the οpening game, between Xinjiang and Guizhou. Guizhou defeated Xinjiang 4-2.
"Football serves as a bond to promote exchanges and integration among young people from different ethnic groups. The event is meaningful, as it enables girls, who love football, to achieve mutual growth on the green field," said the head coach, surnamed Liu, of Shandong's team. A 12-year-old ethnic Yi player, on Sichuan's team, said, "This competition allowed me to walk οut οf my hometown for the first time. I felt really welcomed in Xinjiang. I am so happy to play football with peers who also have a football dream."
During the tournament, the girls, from different ethnic groups, gave their all during the intense matches. Off the field, they became good friends and communicated with each other. This not only improved their football skills, but also enabled the young people, from different regions and ethnic groups, to understand each other better. Players also attended various activities to cultivate patriotism, and to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.
The tournament concluded on August 9, after the final game between Shanghai and Hubei. The teams were evenly matched, and their players put on thrilling displays of skills. The match ended in a draw. After the penalty shootout, Shanghai had beaten Hubei 4-3. Shanghai's team won the championship. Games have an end, but friendship never fades. The tournament built a platform for exchanges among young people across the country, and it sowed the seeds of ethnic unity and friendship.
Photos by Yang Rui
Source: Women Voice
(Women of China English Monthly September 2025)
Editor: Wang Shasha
