Manchester United players join Chinese teenagers in the game of shuttlecock kicking in Shanghai, on July 23, 2016. [Photo by Xia Yong/UNICEF via CRI]

The Manchester United players have joined hands with UNICEF to champion the rights of underprivileged young people through a series of cultural activities. They hope their influence across their team's large fan base in China will help raise awareness of the needs of adolescents from underserved areas.

UNICEF's representative to China Rana Flowers said players from the team can be positive role models for young people with their passion, resilience and commitment, inspiring them to strive for success.

China and UNICEF have made many joint efforts to promote the wellbeing of the country's young people. Between 2011 and 2015, the two sides provided life skills training to out-of-school adolescents and students at vocational schools in 20 counties in 11 provinces. Around 30,000 young people participated in the program and over 1,000 teachers received relevant training.