A player aims before shooting the basketball during a game of the 2021 Integration Youth Charity Basketball League in Hong Kong, May 16, 2021. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The 2021 Integration Youth Charity Basketball League officially kicked off amid tight anti-epidemic measures in Hong Kong on Sunday.

This year, around 200 young players from 10 teams joined the competition, which aims to promote cultural exchange, unity and trust between youth in Hong Kong and those from the mainland. Among the 10 contesting teams are five local teams and five formed by people from across the mainland now studying or living in Hong Kong.

A player (center right) jumps to catch the basketball during the game. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The local teams involve members of Wellman Sports Association, Hoops For Hope, Taiping Life HK, and students of The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, City University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University. Teams formed by fellow townsmen in Hong Kong involved Sichuan Youth Fellowship Association, Guangxi Youth Association of Hong Kong, Xinjiang Association of Hong Kong, Zhejiang (Hong Kong) Youth Association and Shandong Youth Association of Hong Kong. 

A player (left) tries to pass the basketball to his teammates. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Sunday's game was kicked off at Tai Wo Hau Sports Centre by special guests from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and sponsor China Taiping Life Insurance (Hong Kong) Company, along with representatives from Xinhua International Cultural Exchange, Wellman Sports Association and Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong. 

The league final will be in September.

Patrick Leung Kwok-kit, chief financial officer of China Taiping Life Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Limited (center left) and a special guest from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR kick off the competition at Tai Wo Hau Sports Centre in Hong Kong on May 16, 2021. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

(From 13th left to right) Patrick Leung Kwok-kit, chief financial officer of China Taiping Life Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Limited; two special guests from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Zhou Jun, general manager of Xinhua International Cultural Exchange; Steve Wan, president of Wellman Sports Association; and Dick Choi, chairman of Wellman Sports Association pose for a group photo with representatives from the 10 teams, May 16, 2021. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Volunteers pose for a group photo during a games of the 2021 Integration Youth Charity Basketball League at Tai Wo Hau Sports Centre in Hong Kong on May 16, 2021. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)