The third edition of the Centennial Elite Schools Cup primary school category kicks off in Zhidan, the city of youth football embracing all.

Zuo Rui, reporting from Zhidan. Reported by Zuo Rui from Zhidan. The Red Capital carries the Chinese Dream, and football shines in Zhidan. On the morning of the 11th, the third edition of the Centennial Elite Schools Cup football elite exchange tournament primary school category officially opened at the Zhidan County Youth Training Center. Twelve teams from across the country will play 36 matches here, sharing an unforgettable childhood experience.

This tournament is hosted by "Football" News, Information Times, and the Zhidan County People's Government, supported by the China Football Development Foundation, and organized by the Zhidan County Education and Sports Bureau, Zhidan County Football Development Center, and Zhidan County Football Association. The host location, Zhidan County in Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province, is named after General Liu Zhidan, a main founder of the Northwest Revolutionary Base and a proletarian revolutionary.

For the children, participating in the Centennial Elite Schools Cup in Zhidan, which is rich in revolutionary heritage and tradition, is an unprecedented immersive experience. For the organizers, consistently integrating red education and moral cultivation aims to deepen the integration of sports and education, injecting greater momentum into youth football.

The sowers of Zhidan football in the 1970s, founder of the youth football team, member of the Zhidan Football Hall of Fame, former Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Zhang Xiaojian, President of "Football" News Liu Xiaoxin, Deputy Chief Inspector of the Yan'an Education Bureau Li Yanwei, Fourth-level Researcher of the Yan'an Sports Bureau Yang Yongsheng, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Zhidan County Committee and County Magistrate Liu Xiaojun, Director of the Zhidan County Government Office Wang Chun... together witnessed the unprecedented opening of the Centennial Elite Schools Cup in Zhidan.

Liu Xiaoxin stated at the opening ceremony that while everyone enjoys the joy of football at the Zhidan Youth Training Center, they should also take a good look at Yongning Mountain and the former site of the Red Army University to appreciate the precious memories of the revolutionary era and find inspiration for encouragement. "This is something you can correspond to and practice on the football field for a long time."

Next, the dance club of the second grade of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army Zhidan Hongdu Red Army Primary School performed a cultural show "Under the Bright Sunshine." After children's voices sang "From childhood, the teacher taught me to sing a folk song to the Party...", 80 students performed a cheerful cheerleading dance, igniting the atmosphere for the opening match. Amid the cheers of many parents and spectators, the host team Zhidan County Shizhen Primary School drew 1-1 with Chengdu Yingbin Road Primary School.

It is understood that the day before the opening ceremony, nearly 200 young players and coaches from the 12 teams participated in a study tour at the revolutionary holy land Yan'an. In the following six days, while experiencing the Red Capital football culture, they will also receive red education in nearby places during their free time. In addition, the organizers have arranged a series of colorful activities including master lectures, collective movie watching, prize-winning essay contests, and friendship parties.

The Zhidan County Youth Training Center, which was put into use in July this year, has hosted the Commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the Red Army's Long March Gansu-Shaanxi-Ningxia U13 Football League and the Shaanxi Provincial Youth Campus Football League High School Finals. The center consists of three 11-a-side pitches, one indoor 5-a-side pitch, one apartment building, and one multifunctional complex, and also has the right to use two 11-a-side and four 8-a-side pitches within a one-kilometer radius.

With the smooth start of the Centennial Elite Schools Cup, the Zhidan County Youth Training Center's new hardware facilities and comprehensive training and match services have welcomed youth teams from across the country for the first time. Meanwhile, the comfortable temperature of 16-27°C during the competition will allow all participants to enjoy a wonderful summer and a fantastic holiday in the "Youth Football City."