Footballers visiting Hong Kong is vital for local kids: Manchester United legend
Peter Schmeichel, in Hong Kong for youth football summit, hails impact amid visits by United and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo is not the only Manchester United legend visiting Hong Kong this week. Peter Schmeichel is, too, for a JC Youth Football Academy Summit that the Danish former goalkeeper predicted would leave a lasting impression locally.
Organised by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the summit saw young Hong Kong sides and local children engaging with the Manchester United academy, Schmeichel and former United defender Phil Jones.
United’s academy drew 3-3 with a local Premier Youth League Select on Friday before winning a penalty shoot-out, then beat Hong Kong’s under-16 national team 7-1 on Sunday and hosted a training session for the city’s young football fans on Monday.
“I think any experience that any children have with players who are professionals, or the young lads from Manchester, is great,” said Schmeichel, a five-time Premier League title winner with United.
“At the end of the day, this is what football is all about. The important thing is to play and to have fun, and it’s interesting.
“If you look over to the parents, they’ve been told not to use their mobile phones. They’ve been told to watch, actually watch what the kids are doing, and not take photographs.