1st SZ-HK Checkpoint Soccer Friendly promotes exchanges

Players jostle for possession of the ball during a match of the first Shenzhen-Hong Kong Checkpoint Soccer Friendly at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center yesterday. Sznews.com

The first Shenzhen-Hong Kong Checkpoint Soccer Friendly was held yesterday at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center, with more than 200 athletes from the management departments of Shenzhen and Hong Kong checkpoints attending. The event was not only for soccer skills exchange, but also to enhance cooperation between the two sides.

Jointly organized by the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government and the Security Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, a total of eight teams participated in the matches.

Participating teams pose for a group photo. Shenzhen TV News

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a total of 19 matches were played throughout the day. Due to the intensive schedule, each competition was a short 20-minute contest.

The Liantang-Sha Tau Kok Checkpoint Team won the competition with a score of 1-0. The Hong Kong Fire Services Department Team was the runner-up.

Members of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department Team pose for a photo. Shenzhen TV News

The idea of the competition was jointly proposed in March by the managing departments of Shenzhen and Hong Kong checkpoints.

The authorities hoped to further strengthen the cooperation between two sides through such mass sports events. This will also help promote the planning and construction of checkpoints, enhance customs clearance capacity and facilitate customs clearance, thus promoting the integrated development of Shenzhen and Hong Kong through checkpoint services.

Players go for the ball during a match yesterday. Sznews.com

“There were a lot of cheering fans. Our immigration department had many exchanges with colleagues from different checkpoints. We worked together to arrange immigration affairs between Shenzhen and Hong Kong,” said head of the immigration affairs of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

“The players from Shenzhen and Hong Kong participating in the competition said that the event provided a good platform for exchanges and enhanced friendship between the two sides. “We don't have many opportunities to exchange with mainland teams. I think the biggest reward from coming to Shenzhen is that we have the chance to experience the mainland soccer atmosphere more deeply. I look forward to more opportunities to exchange in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and other mainland cities in the future,” said the team leader of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.