Participants in the U17 soccer tournament in China tried their hand at kung fu
Nearly 300 young soccer players from seven countries, who participated in the Hope Cup international youth tournament in the Greater Bay Area, visited the city of Foshan in Guangdong Province. During breaks between matches, they explored the traditional culture of the Lingnan region, according to ECNS.
Eight U17 teams from China, France, the United Kingdom, Serbia, Thailand, South Korea, and New Zealand competed in the tournament. The tournament took place in Guangzhou from August 8 to 14, 2026.
The soccer players visited the Hongsheng Memorial Hall in Foshan, where they watched a lion dance and performances by masters of the Choi Li Fu style of kung fu. Under the guidance of local masters, the participants also tried their hand at this southern Chinese martial art, known for its combination of strength and flexibility.
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The visit’s itinerary included a tasting of Cantonese double-layer milk pudding in the Linnan Tiandi district and a stroll through the historic district featuring traditional architecture. The young athletes also visited a creative industrial park built on the site of former factories, where they viewed graffiti and trendy cultural goods.
The tournament was held under the auspices of the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau and organized by the Guangdong Football Association.
