Venturing to Africa to broaden horizons, returning to compete in the prestigious schools' cup: Zhidan's young footballers feel "how fortunate to be born in China"

Reporter Wang Weizhi reports from Zhidan On the afternoon of August 11, with a light rain falling and a warm feeling in the air, after more than 20 hours of travel, eight U11 football players from Zhidan County, accompanied by their leader Ren Zhigang and coach Lei Guanghong, reached the Zhidan County Youth Training Center, marking the end of the 2026 "Silk Road Journey: Colorful Africa" China-Africa youth football cultural exchange. That afternoon, Ding Changbao, director of the Zhidan County Football Development Center and chairman of the county football association, warmly welcomed the team back. Coincidentally, Wang Xiaopeng, chairperson of the China Football Development Foundation, was in Zhidan to inspect the third edition of the Century-old Schools Cup (primary school group). She met with the young players on the spot, encouraging them to continue striving with determination.

China Football Development Foundation chairperson Wang Xiaopeng encourages the children on site

This cross-border exchange allowed the young footballers from Shaanxi's Zhidan to step out of the country and broaden their horizons, witnessing a unique passion for football in faraway Africa. Coach Lei Guanghong, lost in thought on the journey back, felt a deep sense of gratitude: "How fortunate we are to be born in China!"

Zhidan County U11 football team coach Lei Guanghong

The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa and the China-Africa People-to-People Exchange Year. This China-Africa youth football cultural exchange activity serves as an important vehicle for Silk Road cultural interaction and mutual understanding between Chinese and African youth. Driven by a sincere love for football and a passion for international exchange, Zhidan County carefully selected eight outstanding U11 football players to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, embarking on a dialogue across thousands of miles on the green field and through cultural exchange.

During their stay in Kenya, the young players from Zhidan competed on foreign soil, facing local youth teams in friendly matches and mutual learning. On the field, both sides gave their all, fighting hard and competing in a warm and spirited atmosphere, honing their skills and gaining practical experience. Off the field, the young people interacted sincerely, made friends, and built bridges of friendship that transcended national boundaries.

The team brought cultural elements from northern Shaanxi to Kenya, offering handmade paper cuts, watercolor pens, and star player cards as gifts to their African counterparts. They exchanged jerseys, signed autographs, and shared stories of Zhidan's revolutionary history and the folk customs of the Loess Plateau. Through pure goodwill, they conveyed the warmth and sincerity of Chinese youth, allowing the red culture and Silk Road culture to take root quietly on African soil.

"After the matches, we exchanged paper cuts, wrote our names on each other's jerseys, and gave them watercolor pens and star player cards. When we left, they waved goodbye, shouting 'China' in Chinese. Many of us were in tears," said Yan Luxi, a member of the Zhidan U11 football team.

What moved the Zhidan coaches and players most during this trip to Africa was the tough training conditions that Kenyan football youngsters endure, along with their unwavering love for the game. In Kenya, many playing fields are simple and dusty, with earthen grounds common. Many local young players lack football boots and play in sandals, yet their inherent passion and resilience are deeply touching.

"It was shocking to see African kids playing football on dirt fields, wearing sandals instead of football shoes," said Cao Menghui, a member of the Zhidan County U11 team.

Despite the poor facilities and lack of equipment, the Kenyan youngsters' skills were still outstanding. Yan Luxi told reporters with deep emotion: "The conditions where Kenyan kids play football are very basic, but I saw them training hard and fighting tenaciously on those rough fields. That taught me a lot. We played three matches against the Kenyan kids. Even though their fields were extremely simple, they played very well. In one match, we lost in a penalty shootout, but the Kenyan kids didn't celebrate right away. Instead, they helped us up and encouraged us."

What the children saw and felt also deeply moved the accompanying coach. Team coach Lei Guanghong was greatly affected: "African kids playing football face tough conditions and simple facilities, but their love for the game is ingrained in their bones. No matter the circumstances, their fighting spirit on the field is incredibly strong. Seeing this, I think our children will gain a deeper understanding of football. Our kids never imagined that football could be played under such harsh conditions. At that moment, I felt a profound gratitude: how fortunate we are to be born in China."

Zhidan County U11 football team leader Ren Zhigang

In the eyes of team leader Ren Zhigang, this trip to Africa was a rare inspirational lesson. "What struck me most about the trip to Kenya was the genuine, deep-rooted love for football among Kenyan children. It had a big impact on our kids, especially in terms of motivation. There is still a gap in campus football facilities and fields between Kenya and us. The match we played in a Kenyan slum is something our children will never forget. In that game, our kids truly understood what football spirit means. I think this is very meaningful for the growth of our children and the development of our football."

After witnessing firsthand how African youngsters persevere in football under difficult conditions, the players and coaches came to appreciate their own circumstances even more. Team leader Ren Zhigang sighed deeply: "Now I can say that being born and raised in China is truly a blessing! At the same time, we realize that although conditions in Kenya are very basic, their football is excellent. For our children, with good conditions, we must put in effort from the depths of our hearts. Only then can our football go further and reach the world."

After finishing their African football exchange, the young Zhidan U11 players returned to China without pause, immediately diving into the Century-old Schools Football Elite Exchange Tournament being held in Zhidan.

Ren Zhigang, the team leader of the Zhidan County U11 football team, is also the principal of Zhidan County Shizhen Primary School, which is participating in the Century-old Schools Cup. "It is an honor to compete in the Century-old Schools Cup in our hometown! Our school is a century-old institution. We warmly welcome youth teams from all over the country to Zhidan. Zhidan has a deep football culture and is also the Red Capital. Both the cultural and regional exchanges will leave a great impression on the children. Zhidan is now a city of youth football, and football is its signature. I hope the children show the fighting spirit of Zhidan football youth," he said.

Yan Luxi

Player Yan Luxi returned to Zhidan and the next day represented Shizhen Primary School in the Century-old Schools Cup. "My idol is Cristiano Ronaldo, and I hope to play like him," he said. "I look forward to competing with my opponents in the Century-old Schools Cup and also making friends with them. My goal is to do my best to play well."

Goalkeeper Cao Menghui returned to Zhidan, adjusted his state, and immediately joined the Century-old Schools Cup matches. "My goal is to do my job as a goalkeeper on defense, work even harder in the upcoming matches, and help the team achieve better results," he said.

Cao Menghui