The U-18 men's soccer tournament of the 15th National Games will officially kick off in Shenzhen tomorrow, becoming the first of the city-hosted competitive events of the Games to get under way, Futian District officials announced at a press conference Sunday.
Matches will be played at four venues across the city — the Shenzhen Sports Center Stadium in Futian, the Bao'an Sports Center Stadium in Bao'an, the Universiade Sports Center Stadium in Longgang, and the Youth Football Training Base in Guangming.
The Shenzhen Sports Center Stadium in Futian. Photos from organizers
The Universiade Sports Center Stadium in Longgang.
The 12-day tournament will bring together 12 regional teams from across the country, marking Shenzhen's first multi-venue, cross-district sporting event.
Shenzhen is hosting a total of 12 competitive sports during the Games, including boxing, marathon swimming, badminton, women's volleyball (U-18), women's basketball (U-22), cycling, swimming, equestrian, archery, rhythmic gymnastics, and the athletics marathon.
The Bao'an Sports Center Stadium in Bao'an.
The Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base in Guangming.
The Shenzhen Sports Center Stadium — the city's first Category-A FIFA-standard venue — features natural grass reinforced with synthetic fibers, an intelligent temperature-control system, and a three-dimensional drainage system that allows play to resume within 20 minutes of a rainstorm, ensuring optimal conditions for athletes.
Futian will also host the high-profile badminton competition, which promises world-class matches. Olympic champions Chen Yufei, Zheng Siwei, Huang Yaqiong, Huang Dongping, Chen Qingchen, and Jia Yifan are all scheduled to compete on the courts.
Futian is the starting point for the Games' torch relay and will host four sports — men's soccer U-18 and U-20, competitive and mass-participation badminton, and archery — over the 38 days from today through Nov. 20. More than 2,000 athletes and technical officials are expected to participate in those events.
