The 2026 "Blooming Pomegranates, Blossoming Youth" China Youth Girls' Football Unity Cup kicked off in Aksu Prefecture, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on August 5. The event is scheduled to conclude on August 9. It is being co-hosted by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), the National Ethnic Affairs Commission (NEAC), and the General Administration of Sport of China.
Huang Xiaowei, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, attended the opening ceremony, and she declared the tournament open. Shen Yang, deputy head of NEAC, and Kaiser Abdukerim, Member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee, also attended, and they delivered speeches.
Attendees enjoyed splendid artistic performances after the opening ceremony, and the opening game, between Xinjiang and Beijing, was held. Shui Qingxia, former head coach of China's national women's football team, performed the kick-off, and she provided live commentary.
The five-day tournament has brought together more than 400 girls, aged 12 to 14, from 17 ethnic groups, and 28 teams from across the country. The girls are from several provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. The two teams from Hong Kong and Macao are invited to compete in the tournament for the first time.
Huang met players from Hong Kong and Macao, in Aksu, the day before the opening ceremony. She warmly welcomed the two teams, and she said the tournament helps promote exchanges between young people from Hong Kong and Macao and young people from different ethnic groups on the Chinese mainland, enhance their mutual understanding and friendships and forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. Huang also said she hopes the players will explore Xinjiang, to experience the motherland's diverse culture, build cultural confidence, witness the achievements of Chinese modernization, and carry forward the cause of national rejuvenation.
The girls come together on the field, out of love for football, and they compete for their dreams. "I hope the girls can enjoy the fun of football, learn from each other and enhance friendships, and forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation through the game," said the Liaoning team's coach.
One young player, from Sichuan, could hardly contain her excitement: "It is a great honor to represent Sichuan, and my hometown, the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in this tournament. I want to give my all on the pitch, and play well, and off the pitch, I hope to get to make more friends from different regions and ethnic groups." Another young player, from Hong Kong, said: "I've never been to Xinjiang before. I really want to learn about its history and see its scenery. I'm looking forward to interacting and playing football with the local children here."
The final game, and the closing ceremony, is scheduled for August 9. During the tournament, players will attend various activities, to cultivate patriotism, and to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.
Ma Liejian, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, hosted the opening ceremony. More than 3,000 spectators and guests attended.
(Source: Women Voice)
Editor: Cui Rui
