Pyongyang, May 7 (KCNA) -- The Eleventh National Children's Football Tournament opened with due ceremony at the Hamhung Stadium in the DPRK on Wednesday to mark the 80th founding anniversary of the Korean Children's Union.

In the tournament, more than 400 players selected from all provinces will play league matches and semifinals in Hamhung City. The finals will take place at the Songdowon International Children's Camp.

Present at the opening ceremony were officials concerned, officials of the youth league and schoolchildren.

At the ceremony, a speaker said that the national children's football tournament, held every year under the care of the respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un, serves as a significant occasion in demonstrating the vigorous appearance of schoolchildren who are firmly preparing themselves to be the masters of the future under the benefits of the socialist educational system.

The flag of the tournament was hoisted and the players marched in file.

Then there was a match between the boys' football teams of South Hamgyong Province and Kaesong Municipality. -0-