Players compete at the First “Innovative Pingshan Cup” Shenzhen Subdistrict Soccer Invitational Tournament finals Sept. 16. Photos from WeChat account "pingshanfb"

The First “Innovative Pingshan Cup” Shenzhen Subdistrict Soccer Invitational Tournament concluded on the evening of Sept. 16. Over 300 fans watched the finals at Pingshan Soccer Park, and the teams from Yantian Subdistrict of Yantian District, Matian Subdistrict of Guangming District and Kengzi Subdistrict of Pingshan District won first, second and third place, respectively.

Launched in May, the tournament lasted for four months, with 12 participating teams representing different subdistricts. Nearly 300 players competed in a total of 70 matches and the participating teams scored over 200 goals. The event is affectionately nicknamed by local fans as the “Subdistrict Super League,” acclaiming the innovative integration of soccer with communities.

Players compete at the First “Innovative Pingshan Cup” Shenzhen Subdistrict Soccer Invitational Tournament finals Sept. 16. 

Lin Xinhua, a player from the Bantian Subdistrict team in Longgang District, said: “I feel very excited to participate in the tournament. I’ve never had this experience before.” Liu Dewei, a player from the Longtian Subdistrict team in Pingshan, had a more exhilarating feeling while playing on his home soccer field, saying, “It’s my first time representing my hometown in a competition, and it makes me feel a strong sense of belonging.”

Lai Bingjiang, a player from the Lianhua Subdistrict team in Futian District, said that in their daily lives, work takes priority, but now in the “Subdistrict Super League,” they can interact with players from different subdistricts and get to know each other. Wu Jinjun, captain of the Qingshuihe Subdistrict team in Luohu District, said, “I have met many star players from other areas of Shenzhen through the ‘Subdistrict Super League.’”

Fans watch the First “Innovative Pingshan Cup” Shenzhen Subdistrict Soccer Invitational Tournament finals Sept. 16. 

Every weekend, regardless of scorching sun or accompanying rain, soccer enthusiasts from various areas in the city gathered at Pingshan Soccer Park, cheering loudly to offer their encouragement to the players. “I braved the rain to watch the ‘Subdistrict Super League’ and the atmosphere was intense and incredibly exciting. I even wanted to play myself,” said a fan named Shaw.

Another fan surnamed Zheng, who lives in Yantian District, went to Pingshan to watch soccer matches almost every weekend. He said, “The ‘Subdistrict Super League’ is an excellent community event, bringing soccer closer to the neighborhoods. Thumbs up to Pingshan.”

Li Chunhao, general manager of Shenzhen Juniors Football Club, believes that the “Subdistrict Super League” can bring greater support to amateur soccer development in Shenzhen, “The participation threshold for some amateur soccer events is quite high, but here in Shenzhen, the ‘Subdistrict Super League’ can provide a platform for more people to participate. Additionally, the opportunity to represent their subdistricts in the competition is interesting and pioneering.”

Players compete at the First “Innovative Pingshan Cup” Shenzhen Subdistrict Soccer Invitational Tournament finals Sept. 16. 

Former national footballer Li Yi also watched the “Subdistrict Super League” finals in Shenzhen. He said: “The event has attracted more people to come to the site and experience the atmosphere, and encouraged more people to understand and participate in soccer. I’m amazed that, although the ‘Subdistrict Super League’ is an amateur competition, everyone’s understanding of tactics and techniques exceeded my expectations. If amateur soccer throughout the country can reach this level, I believe that Chinese soccer development is full of hope. … Sometimes, when I want to play soccer in Shenzhen, I can’t even book a field. This shows how much Shenzhen people love playing soccer.”