Youth football players from across the Silk Road are gaining more than just goals at the ongoing second Kashgar Cup as they make friends, and explore cultures in northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Kazakhstan's Boranbai Omirbek said he hoped the tournament would give him a better understanding of the daily lives and training routines of his Chinese counterparts.

"I want to better understand how they balance school and football," he said.

Kashgar has become a hub for youth football in Xinjiang, with 108 dedicated football schools, 167 active youth teams, and more than 40 players advancing to professional clubs in China.

For Orazmuhammet Ovekov of Turkmenistan, the competition serves as a rare and valuable experience.

"I haven't played much abroad before," he said. "It's exciting to compete with players from different countries. The Chinese players are very strong, and this is a great chance for us to improve our skills."

With Friday marked as a rest day for the tournament, players took time to explore Kashgar, one of China's westernmost and most historically rich cities.

"I know China is a multiethnic country, and today we saw traditional embroidered caps from different ethnic groups," said Davron Tolkunov, a defender from Uzbekistan. "Many of us bought the ones we liked. Wearing them through the streets turned heads. It felt really cool."

Coach Ilyas Mukhamejanov from Kazakhstan praised Kashgar's blend of tradition and modernity.

"Kashgar is an international city, and the people are incredibly welcoming." he said. "We love the city and hope to return, not just to play football but to strengthen the friendships we're building."

The competition, which began on Monday in Yuepuhu County, Kashgar Prefecture, features 12 teams from seven countries and will run through June 30.