Weifang Cup Intl Youth Football Tournament kicks off

Weifang Cup International Youth Football Tournament (2013) kicked off here Sunday with 10 teams composed of U-18 players.

National youth teams from Iran, DPR Korea, Mongolia, China, and six clubs' youth teams from Portugal, Brazil, Mexico, China, China's Hong Kong are competing in the tournament running from July 28 to Aug. 4.

Initiated by Shandong Luneng Taishan Football School in 2006, the event won support from the Chinese Football Association, which wants to improve China's football performance through matches against famous teams.

The international tournament has so far attracted participation of 1,158 players from 54 youth football teams worldwide since 2006. Fifty-nine footballers, who took part in Weifang Cup, play for 16 clubs in China Super League (CSL) in 2013 season.

The following are champions of the past events: Shandong Luneng F.C. (2006); Australian National Youth team (2007); Rcd Espanyol youth team (2009); China National Youth Team (2010); Mexican C.D. Guadalajara F.C. (2011); Villarreal C.F. (2012).

Shandong Luneng Taishan Football School, established in 1999, serves as a cradle for young talented footballers.