{"id":3180,"date":"2016-11-30T01:00:13","date_gmt":"2016-11-30T01:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iuhrdf.org\/en\/2016\/11\/30\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers\/"},"modified":"2016-11-30T01:00:13","modified_gmt":"2016-11-30T01:00:13","slug":"goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iuhrdf.org\/en\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers\/","title":{"rendered":"Goal Far Afield for Young Uyghur Footballers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In Guangdong province, water is never far away. Even if it\u2019s not raining, the air will still be damp, and every part of the R&#038;F Soccer School \u2014 the floors, the windows, the walls \u2014 is constantly covered in drops of water.<\/p>\n<p>Liu Yuyang<br \/>\nNov 29, 2016<\/p>\n<p>In Guangdong province, water is never far away. Even if it&rsquo;s not raining, the air will still be damp, and every part of the R&amp;F Soccer School &mdash; the floors, the windows, the walls &mdash; is constantly covered in drops of water.<\/p>\n<p>On one of the school&rsquo;s fields, team 06A is running across the wet AstroTurf. Among the young players is 8-year-old Muradil. Here, in China&rsquo;s south, he is far from home. Muradil comes from Gulja, a city in northwest China&rsquo;s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, close to the border with Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n<p>Muradil dreams big. &ldquo;I want to go to Brazil to play soccer, and I want to be a star. My idol is Messi,&rdquo; he says, as his gaze slides from his bright orange cleats to the surrounding fields. He has come to the right place. R&amp;F Soccer School is located in the city of Meizhou, referred to as China&rsquo;s &ldquo;home of soccer.&rdquo; The second-largest soccer school in the province, R&amp;F proudly professes to &ldquo;train the new generation of soccer kings.&rdquo; In addition to regular classes, students spend about 13 hours a week perfecting their soccer skills.<\/p>\n<p><script src='\/\/ajax.googleapis.com\/ajax\/libs\/jquery\/1.11.0\/jquery.min.js'><\/script><br \/>\n<script src='https:\/\/cdn.rawgit.com\/Pagawa\/PgwSlideshow\/master\/pgwslideshow.min.js'><\/script>\n<link rel='stylesheet' href='http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/pgwslideshow.min.css'>\n<div class=\"slides\">\n<ul class=\"pgwSlideshow\">\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-001.jpg\" data-description=\"Muhammad plays soccer with a friend on a rest day at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, June 3, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone\"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-002.jpg\" data-description=\"Muhammad plays soccer with a friend on a rest day at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, June 3, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone\"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-003.jpg\" data-description=\" Halit (right) and Deng Qiaofeng shake hands as Deng apologizes for his aggressive behavior on the field at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, June 2, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone\"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-004.jpg\" data-description=\" Muradil cools off by splashing water on his face after a training session at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, May 31, 2016. The hot, damp weather in Meizhou is quite different from the dry weather in Xinjiang. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone\"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-005.jpg\" data-description=\" Eliyar combs his hair into a soccer star\u2019s style in his dorm room at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, June 3, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone \"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-006.jpg\" data-description=\"Uyghur students discuss a team roster posted on an announcement board at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, March 18, 2016. Some Uyghur and Han students were chosen to attend a soccer game in downtown Meizhou. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone\"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-007.jpg\" data-description=\" Kasim (left) and Muhammad take the bus to a soccer game in downtown Meizhou, Guangdong province, March 20, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone \"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-008.jpg\" data-description=\"Muradil and a teammate celebrate a goal during a soccer game in Meizhou, Guangdong province, March 20, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone \"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-009.jpg\" data-description=\"Kasim cries in Coach Abdukirim\u2019s arms after injuring his leg during a soccer game in Meizhou, Guangdong province, March 20, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone\"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-010.jpg\" data-description=\" Muhammad (far right) scores a goal during a nighttime training session at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, March 17, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone\"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-011.jpg\" data-description=\"Coach Abdukirim talks tactics on the field at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, June 2, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone\"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-012.jpg\" data-description=\"Uyghur students sit behind a sports billboard at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, June 3, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone\"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-013.jpg\" data-description=\"Halit lies on the field after a training session at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, May 31, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone\"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-014.jpg\" data-description=\" Two Uyghur students nap on a bus in Meizhou, Guangdong province, June 4, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone\"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-015.jpg\" data-description=\" Muradil (left) and Halit call home after a nighttime practice at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, June 1, 2016. The students are permitted to use mobile phones for half an hour every day. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone \"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-016.jpg\" data-description=\" A photo showing twins Husan and Hasan with their family is saved on a cellphone in Meizhou, Guangdong province, June 1, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone \"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-017.jpg\" data-description=\"Two Uyghur students watch a video clip on a cellphone after dinner at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, June 1, 2016. \"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-018.jpg\" data-description=\" Hua Shuai, a Han student from Henan province, peers into a classroom of Uyghur students at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, May 31, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone \"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-019.jpg\" data-description=\" Muradil and Muhammad play \u2018rock, paper, scissors\u2019 with Han students during a break at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, May 19, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone \"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-020.jpg\" data-description=\" Coach Abdukirim makes Kasim watch Muradil write Chinese characters on the blackboard during a nighttime Chinese class at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, March 16, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone \"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-021.jpg\" data-description=\"A Uyghur student stands against a wall as punishment for not paying attention during a nighttime Chinese class at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, March 19, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone \"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-022.jpg\" data-description=\"Two local Han women stare at Obulkasim at a bus stop in Meizhou, Guangdong province, June 4, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone \"><\/li>\n<li><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/images\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-023.jpg\" data-description=\"Muhammad touches Muradil on the head while they chat in their dorm one night at R&amp;F Soccer School in Meizhou, Guangdong province, March 16, 2016. Liu Yuyang for Sixth Tone \"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><script>\n$(document).ready(function() {\n $('.pgwSlideshow').pgwSlideshow({\n autoSlide: true\n });\n});<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p>The school recruits from far and wide. Besides Muradil, there are about 20 other pupils from Xinjiang. One of the teachers, Coach Abdukirim, is himself Uyghur and used to play in the Chinese Super League. At the school, he serves as a scout of sorts for his home region. Teachers at regular schools throughout Xinjiang will tell him about promising prospects, and Abdukirim will invite the young players to Guangdong.<\/p>\n<p>Tuition at the school costs about 20,000 yuan ($2,900) per year, but a deal brokered by Abdukirim allows Uyghur children to attend for free. For the pupils, enrolling at R&amp;F is a dream come true, but it also means moving about as far away from home as they possibly can without leaving the country. They have to adapt to a new climate, different food, and life without their parents. The youngest of the Uyghur students is just 7 years old.<\/p>\n<p>Muradil has noticed plenty of differences between his old life and his new surroundings: &ldquo;In second grade, students in Xinjiang will not learn English, but students in Guangdong have learned it very well already. It rains a lot here. I miss the food at home and spending the holidays with my parents,&rdquo; he says.<\/p>\n<p>Fifth-grader Husan is 12 and comes from Karamay in Xinjiang. He says he used to cry in secret during his first week at the school, but he has since adapted to life in Guangdong. &ldquo;I can speak Mandarin and English well, and I have made friends with many local children,&rdquo; he says.<\/p>\n<p><video controls poster=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/videos\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers.jpg\" width=\"100%\"><source src=\"http:\/\/docs.uyghuramerican.org\/videos\/goal-far-afield-young-uyghur-footballers-v.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"><\/video><\/p>\n<p>In the adult world, Uyghurs do not always enjoy a positive&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sixthtone.com\/news\/uyghur-entrepreneur-fights-prejudice-one-nut-cake-time\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reputation<\/a>&nbsp;among other ethnic groups, and violent incidents in recent years haven&rsquo;t helped allay the mistrust. At the R&amp;F Soccer School, the Uyghur players sometimes have a hard time fitting in. Many arrive speaking subpar Mandarin, and in the heat of the game, miscommunications can turn violent, such as when Coach Abdukirim had to separate 9-year-olds Halit and Qiaofeng after they ran into each other during a game.<\/p>\n<p>Just as the young players from Xinjiang must adapt to their new environment, Coach Abdukirim says he hopes their presence will clear up misconceptions about Uyghurs. &ldquo;It is not easy for these children,&rdquo; he says.<\/p>\n<p><em>This story is part of the Magnum Foundation&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumfoundation.org\/what-works\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&ldquo;What Works&rdquo;<\/a>&nbsp;project.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Guangdong province, water is never far away. Even if it\u2019s not raining, the air will still be damp, and every part of the R&#038;F Soccer School \u2014 the floors, the windows, the walls \u2014 is constantly covered in drops of water.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3179,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"topic":[],"class_list":["post-3180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iuhrdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iuhrdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iuhrdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iuhrdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iuhrdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3180"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iuhrdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3180\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iuhrdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iuhrdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iuhrdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iuhrdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3180"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iuhrdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=3180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}