Baidui Cup: Beijing’s Iconic Youth Football Tournament Expands onto Global Stage

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The Buzz Nepal
August 19 , 2025

Beijing, China – August 18, 2025 – The 42nd “Baidui Cup” Football Tournament kicked off on August 8th under the summer rain, bringing a refreshing coolness to young players and igniting another wave of football fever in Beijing, the “Dual Olympic City.” For more than four decades, this youth football tournament has not only inspired Beijing’s young athletes but has also become a platform where international talents gather to compete and learn.

Among the spectators this year was 51-year-old Chinese football legend Yang Chen, whose memories of playing in the very first editions of the Baidui Cup resurfaced as he watched children enjoy the sport. “I really enjoy those exciting and delightful moments, running side by side with my young teammates, trying to perform our best, and pursuing victories. This is where my dream began,” recalled the Beijing native, who participated in the first two editions back in the 1980s.

Since its launch in 1984 with 112 teams, the tournament has grown massively. Today, it attracts over 1,000 teams, making it one of the largest and most celebrated youth football events in China. The 42nd edition ran from August 8 to 17, with matches spread across six districts in Beijing. Parents and families showed unwavering support, cheering on young players regardless of the weather.

For 10-year-old Li Jinglin, this year marked his fifth appearance at the Baidui Cup. “The Baidui Cup is my most anticipated event in summer vacation. It is like a football party,” said Li, who initially played as a left-wing midfielder but later transitioned to goalkeeper. “I want to defend the victory for our team,” he added, reflecting the determination shared by many young participants.

Another debutant, nine-year-old Wang Yibo, found motivation not only from the sport itself but also from the unwavering encouragement of his family. “At first, I just hoped that he could have better physical strength by attending football training sessions every week,” shared his mother Guo Lele. “Gradually, I found he was self-motivated to make progress step by step. I believe football will always accompany him as he grows up.”

The Baidui Cup has increasingly drawn participants from across China and beyond. This year, Coach Ma Zhiqiang brought a team from Rongjiang County in Guizhou Province, the birthplace of China’s renowned Village Super League, also known as Cun Chao. Though many of his young players only recently started formal training, they impressed the audience with their tenacity. “My team strictly implemented the game plan. In the first half, they concentrated on defense, while in the second half, they took advantage of their physical strength to make counter-attacks. We are all excited to secure several victories here,” Ma explained.

One of his players, nine-year-old Lin Qihang, captain of the Rongjiang youth team, practices for more than three hours daily after school. “Playing football made me more self-disciplined. Our trip to Beijing is an opportunity to learn from other teams and see a bigger world,” Lin said.

The international presence at the Baidui Cup is also growing. Zimbabwe’s 11-year-old Christiano Konono played with teammates from the Jadel Football Academy, a youth club in Beijing founded in 2019 by former professional player Walter Musanhu. The academy sent about 150 players from China, Zimbabwe, Japan, and other regions to this year’s tournament. Musanhu, who plans to take his Chinese players to Zimbabwe this winter, shared: “I want these kids to achieve more than what I achieved as a football player. I want them to have the best memories in their lives.”

According to Gao Jun, Secretary of the Beijing Football Association, the Baidui Cup has become a vital part of the city’s sporting culture. “As the tournament grows in popularity, we organize it annually. There is simply no reason to stop,” he said. Over the years, the tournament has produced many elite players, including former national team stars Shao Jiayi and Liu Ying.

Reflecting on its legacy, Shao, now head coach of Qingdao West Coast in the Chinese Super League, emphasized: “A journey of more than 40 years is never easy. I hope more young players can stand out in the Baidui Cup and contribute to Chinese football and its related industries.”

From its humble beginnings in 1984 to becoming a global youth football festival, the Baidui Cup continues to inspire passion, discipline, and dreams for thousands of children. With growing international participation, the tournament is not just a showcase of talent, it’s a celebration of the future of football.