The 42nd Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup Football Tournament Sets to Ignite Football Fever
After a five-year hiatus, the 42nd Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup Football Tournament is about to kick off to promote football in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Provincial-Hong Kong Cup Football Match is a traditional event between Guangdong Province and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, with a rich history dating back to 1979.
The press conference for the second round of the 42nd Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup Football Tournament was held at Yuexiu Mountain Stadium on January 19th. The first round is scheduled for January 31st at Mong Kok Stadium in Hong Kong, with the second round taking place on February 7th at Guangzhou Yuexiushan Stadium.
As the second round of the competition approaches the Spring Festival, the organizers have planned special cultural performances including a chorus, lion dance, and dragon dance to welcome the New Year in the Lunar Year of the Dragon, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The Guangdong team participating in the tournament includes players from the Meizhou Hakka Team, a Chinese Super League club, as well as players from other clubs such as Foshan Southern Lions, Guangzhou Team, and Guangzhou Shadow Leopards.
Coach Zhou Sui’an of the Guangdong team expressed the significance of the Provincial-Hong Kong Cup, stating that it has cultivated football talent in Guangdong and provided a platform for friendship and exchange between the football communities of Guangdong and Hong Kong. He also highlighted the impressive progress and achievements made by Hong Kong’s football in recent years.
In addition to promoting football, the organizers are also looking ahead to the 10th National Games and the Paralympic Games co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao in 2025. They hope to use the momentum from the resumption of the Provincial-Hong Kong Cup to spread the spirit of sports across the Greater Bay Area.
The second round of the 42nd Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup is expected to sell 10,000 tickets in Guangzhou. The unique ticket design featuring two intertwined dragons symbolizes the vibrant spirit and deep emotions to be showcased through football in the Year of the Dragon.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup Football Tournament holds great significance in promoting sports and cultural exchange in the region, as descendants of the dragon come together to celebrate the beautiful game and the rich heritage of the Greater Bay Area.