On this November，The 2024 "Atushi Cup" Invitational Tournament across Xinjiang has elevated the fervor for football in Atushi to unparalleled heights.

Athletes and enthusiasts from throughout Xinjiang have convened in the vibrant city of Atushi, where they engage in intense competition on the field, captivating audiences with exhilarating matches that showcase their prowess.

But why has Xinjiang's most prestigious football event been bestowed with the name of Atushi, a diminutive city nestled at the westmost edge of China?

Join us on a journey to unravel this intriguing mystery!

We venture to a village steeped in a century-old football heritage – Yikesake Village.

This locale is renowned as the cradle of one of China's pioneering folk football team.

In 1927, the Yikesake Village football team achieved a monumental feat, defeating both British and Swedish teams with scores of 2-1 and 7-0, respectively.

Ever since, this triumphant encounter has ignited an enduring passion for football within the hearts of Atushi residents.

As the locals proclaim, "Football is as indispensable as sustenance."

Today, football stands as an indelible component of Atushi's urban culture.

Yikesake Primary School boasts four dedicated football teams. Here, boys and girls alike embrace the sport daily, nurturing their skills and fostering a deep appreciation for its values.

Inspired by the legacy of their forebears, these young athletes nurture their dreams amidst the lush playing fields. Each deft pass and precise strike reflects not only their dedication but also their profound connection to the game.

The school serves as a breeding ground for exceptional talent, continually rejuvenating Atushi's football community and earning accolades along the way.

For the youth of this quaint border town, football is more than just a pastime; it offers a glimpse into a broader universe beyond their immediate horizons.

This is Atushi – a sanctuary for football enthusiasts and a beacon of hope for aspiring dreamers.

Source :Lingnan on the Cloud

【视频】新疆故事丨在中国西部边陲，有座足球城！

2024年“阿图什杯”全疆邀请赛正在激烈举行，这项赛事将阿图什的足球热情再次推向高潮。

来自新疆各地的运动员和爱好者聚集在阿图什市，赛场上的精彩比赛吸引了全新疆的目光。

为什么新疆最负盛名的足球赛事被命名为“阿图什杯”？要知道，阿图什只是一个坐落在中国最西部边陲的克孜勒苏柯尔克孜自治州的一座县级城市。

阿图什和足球的缘分，开始于一个近百年的故事。

阿图什有一个村庄，名叫依克萨克村，被称为“百年足球村”。

1927年，风靡依克萨克村的足球热引起了当时英国、瑞典驻新疆喀什领事馆的注意。同年5月初，应英国、瑞典驻喀什领事馆的邀请，依克萨克村足球队来到喀什与两国领事馆组建的足球队进行比赛，赛场内外万人空巷。依克萨克村的队员在当时生活还比较艰苦的条件下，分别以2:1、7:0的成绩战胜了对手。

这场胜利激发了当地居民心中对足球的持久热情。

在伊克萨克村，无论是男女老幼都深爱着足球，并且视它为荣誉和生命。

11月14日，羊城晚报记者到访了伊克萨克村，先后走访了伊克萨克小学、依克萨克百年足球博物馆、红色足球小院，探寻阿图什百年足球村的历史传承。

依克萨克村小学只有不到500名学生，却拥有四支足球队。学校党支部书记李小静告诉记者，学校的孩子们都很喜欢足球，很多人趁着课间10分钟还要到操场上踢上两脚。

在百年足球博物馆，记者看到了当年打败英国、瑞典领事馆球队的球员的合影。在红色足球小院，当地孩子们画的足球主题手绘让小院充满童趣，

足球在这里不仅是娱乐，更是生活的重要部分。

对于阿图什人来说，没有足球就如同烤羊肉串缺少了孜然。“会走路就会踢足球”这一说法在阿图什并不是夸张，而是生活的真实写照。

因此，阿图什人自豪地把家乡称为“中国足球之乡”，每年的全疆足球邀请赛都会在阿图什举行。

11月14日，全疆足球邀请赛半决赛上演了一场“南疆德比”——阿图什队对阵喀什队。这场比赛吸引上万观众涌入阿图什市克州体育中心。比赛现场不仅座无虚席，甚至就连足球场外的栏杆上也挤满了观众。

虽然阿图什队最终在点球大战中输给了喀什队，但阿图什人对足球的热爱丝毫没有变。

文、图、视频 | 羊城晚报记者 赵鹏 实习生 叶骐鸿