Second Shenzhen Subdistrict Super League kicks off

The Second Shenzhen Subdistrict Super League, an AFC-CFA Grassroots Football Day event, kicks off in Pingshan on May 15. Photos courtesy of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Pingshan District

The Second Shenzhen Subdistrict Super League, an AFC-CFA Grassroots Football Day event, kicked off in Pingshan on May 15. Grassroots Football Day is celebrated every May 15 since it was established by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2013. 

In May 2023, the inaugural “Innovative Pingshan Cup” Shenzhen Subdistrict Soccer Invitational Tournament saw 12 teams from different subdistricts engaging in fierce competitions and playing 70 matches over a dynamic four-month period. Fondly dubbed the “Subdistrict Super League” by locals, the event garnered acclaim for pioneering the fusion of soccer with community engagement.

A board displays a poster for the AFC-CFA Grassroots Football Day.

Building on the success of the event, the Shenzhen Subdistrict Super League “Hundreds of Counties, Thousands of Towns, and Myriads of Villages” Public Welfare Tour Tournament was inaugurated in September 2023. Featuring soccer matches, cultural exchanges, and charitable efforts, the tournament ventured into counties, townships, and villages within and outside Guangdong.

The grassroots ethos of the Shenzhen Subdistrict Super League echoes the spirit of the AFC-CFA (Chinese Football Association) Grassroots Football Day initiatives. This year, over 1,000 participants across 40 teams are gearing up for 90 exciting matches in the Second Shenzhen Subdistrict Super League, scheduled at four venues — Pingshan Soccer Park, Xiangmihu Lingguan Sports Center in Futian District, Dabao Road Sports Park in Bao'an District, and Shenzhen Youth Soccer Training Base in Guangming District.

Flags display posters for the Second Shenzhen Subdistrict Super League.

The May 15 ceremony at Pingshan Soccer Park featured 150 students from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and 50 soccer enthusiasts engaging in games. Eleven Pingshan U10, U12, and U14 teams underwent training sessions led by former footballer Chi Minghua, followed by spirited competitions. A friendly match between a Shenzhen Subdistrict Super League team and a Hong Kong Second Division League team ignited the passion of spectators, marking a memorable event.