Feature: Four decades on, Baidui Cup continues to fuel Beijing's youth football

by sportswriter Li Chunyu

BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Returning to the Baidui Cup for the first time as head coach of China's men's national football team, Shao Jiayi found the same passion and desire from young players as he had during his own childhood.

"I competed in the Baidui Cup decades ago, and much of my happiness at that time came from creating exciting moments with my teammates in summer," the 46-year-old said during this year's Baidui Cup, one of Beijing's biggest youth football tournaments.

This year marks the first time that the tournament has two separate groups - recreational and competitive.

The recreational group is open to young football enthusiasts, while the competitive group caters to club youth teams and youth training academies. According to organizers, more than 1,400 teams and over 15,000 players participated in the Baidui Cup this year.

"What touched me most was the fearlessness of the young players," Shao said. "Football demands and encourages physical contact. I saw these kids were willing to go into challenges. Our young talents are really brave and fully enjoy the stage to show themselves."

For Fu Ming, a Chinese referee who returned from FIFA World Cup duty last month, the Baidui Cup is a festival not only for children, but also for referees and officials.

Even with his busy schedule, Fu, 43, has long wanted to officiate the Baidui Cup, viewing it as a valuable opportunity to communicate with young referees and players.

"The World Cup and Baidui Cup differ a lot in intensity, but my attitude towards each game remains the same," Fu said. "My movement and decision-making on the pitch have become second nature. I naturally brought all my habits to the Baidui Cup. Young referees can observe how I position myself and move around the field."

In a competitive U15 match officiated by Fu, referee Chen Xueyang watched on from the sidelines.

"I graduated from Capital University of Physical Education and Sports where Fu instructed me at a football referee training camp," recalled Chen, 25. "After I became a referee, I sometimes sent him video clips of controversial or challenging calls for advice, and he would give me a call right away. He asked for my opinion first and then shared his own perspective."

"Fu gave me tremendous support. He sets an example for our young referees to learn from," Chen added.

Player Niu Yuhao spoke after his team won the match 2-0. "Fu is a world-class referee and controlled the game pace well," he said. "I have been playing football for eight years since primary school. I hope to enjoy football and build up my physical fitness."

After the final whistle, the young players took a group photo with Fu, who also gave many of them his autograph.

"Without joy, there will be no motivation," Fu said. "A football match serves as an excellent lesson for children, through which they can learn to win honorably and accept defeat gracefully. Even though they are opponents on the pitch, they should still help when others are in need."

While the inaugural Baidui Cup in 1984 attracted 112 teams, that number has expanded to over 1,000 in recent years.

"The large number of young football participants in Beijing lays a solid foundation for cultivating more talents in the future. Football fueled by passion will always accompany them on their journey of growth," said Hu Jianping, president of the Beijing Football Association. Enditem