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Jeonbuk State, in collaboration with the Jeonbuk State Office of Education and Jeonbuk Physicl Education Middle & High School, is continuing international exchange and friendship through sports by delivering sports equipment donated by students to youth in three African nations. On the 5th, the State and the Office of Education held a send-off ceremony at Jeonbuk Sports Middle & High School for the project titled “Re; Play Together, Jeonbuk Sports Friendship Gifts,” shipping the items to Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Namibia. The theme, ‘Re; Play Together,’ signifies resuming games (Re; Play) that had been halted due to a shortage of soccer balls and sports gear, this time together with Jeonbuk.

This initiative goes beyond mere material support; it aims to practice solidarity and friendship across borders through sports and to expand the foundation for exchange among future generations. In particular, sharing equipment that students actually used spreads the value of sharing while extending Jeonbuk’s international sports diplomacy into schools and the local community. The project originated from visits last year by officials from Zimbabwe and Namibia, with whom Jeonbuk has maintained international sports exchanges. During their visit to Jeonbuk Sports Middle & High School, they requested support for sports equipment. Students readily agreed to contribute, leading to a broader international exchange program supported by the State, the Office of Education, and the school. The donated items total 616 pieces across 12 sports, including soccer, taekwondo, shooting, archery, swimming, etc. —comprising both gear previously used by students and new items collected for this project. The equipment will be delivered to the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and National Olympic Committees of each country via Zimbabwean diplomatic missions and international shipping. It will then be distributed to young athletes and youth active in organizations such as the Kirsty Coventry Academy in Zimbabwe, the Waitaka Taekwondo Club in Kenya, and the MTC Hopsol Youth Soccer League in Namibia.

Kim Jong-phil, Director General of Jeonbuk State’s 2036 Summer Olympics Bid Department, stated: “I hope the precious sports items that nurtured the dreams of our Jeonbuk students will serve as a new source of hope for African youth. Moving forward, we will continue to promote international exchange through sports, guided by the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) core values of inclusion and solidarity.” Im Young-gun, Director of Arts, Physical Ed & Health Division at the Jeonbuk State Office of Education, said, “It was a meaningful opportunity for our students to put into practice the spirit of sportsmanship through sharing and caring while developing a global perspective. We hope that the students’ small but heartfelt gesture will be warmly received by young people in Africa.”

Meanwhile, Jeonbuk State has been steadily expanding its international sports network by dispatching a Taekwondo demonstration team to the World Taekwondo U-21 Championship in Kenya, participating in the World Union of Olympic Cities General Assembly, and broadening sports exchanges with African nations. Starting with the “Sports Friendship Gift” pilot project, Jeonbuk State plans to consider expanding the countries and sports covered by the initiative, while also promoting the hosting of international sporting events and exchange programs inviting young athletes from overseas, with the goal of developing Jeonbuk into a specialized international sports city.

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AFC Grassroots Football Day returns for 11th edition

AIPS ASIA News:

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s unwavering commitment to ensure football remains Asia’s number one sport, reached yet another significant milestone when as many as 43 Member Associations (MAs) of the Confederation pledged to join the AFC Grassroots Football Day 2024.

This year, almost 45,000 participants spanning the length and breadth of Asia, and across age-groups, social backgrounds, and abilities, are expected to join in the celebration, upholding the Confederation’s ambitions to encourage mass participation.

Marking the highest participation since the relaxation of COVID-19 related constraints, the 11th edition will see its MAs harness the power of the beautiful game to spread joy and put smiles on the faces of children across Asia.

In India, the AFC Grassroots Football Day is being celebrated as a nationwide effort, with over 22,000 participants engaging in a variety of events spanning several weeks, including friendly tournaments and seminars aimed at promoting the development of women’s football in the country, whereas almost 1500 youngsters will participate in football festivals in Qatar and Uzbekistan respectively.

Similarly, MAs such as the Bhutan Football Federation, Palestine Football Association, and Mongolia Football Federation, are set to organise festivals comprising mini-tournaments and small-sided games, while the Kyrgyz Football Union will commemorate the day by conducting seminars for the region’s coaches and tutors to hone their understanding of children’s psychology and qualities required in a modern-day coach.

Moreover, the Japan Football Association will bring back the beloved Penguins Cup MAKUHARI in collaboration with the Japan Walking Football Federation, while the Guam Football Association will also include Walking Football in their celebrations along with Golf Football.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “For a decade now, the annual celebration has remained a symbol of the Confederation’s unwavering support and dedication towards the enhancement and nurturing of grassroots football across our diverse Continent.”

“As underlined in our Vision and Mission, the AFC is resolute in its ambitions to ensure the success of our national teams and clubs on the highest of stages. But to ensure this growth in a sustainable manner, we must never take our eyes off our very foundation – the grassroots.

“But, as we all know, there is a larger purpose to developing football at the grassroots level than just creating a pipeline of future stars. It is just as much about fostering widespread engagement and instilling a love for the sport, and using the massive potential of football to create well-rounded individuals.

“So, I must applaud the incredible amount of work that the various members and regional associations have undertaken to ensure that football remains accessible to all members of society, irrespective of their age, status, gender, and abilities.”

Since the last iteration of the AFC Grassroots Football Day, the Confederation has also marked the return of events such as the AFC Grassroots Conference and the AFC Special Grassroots Awards, while membership under the AFC Grassroots Charter now boasts 41 members.

Additionally, the latest edition of the AFC Grassroots Review was also published earlier this year, revisiting the initiatives of the AFC’s MAs that have contributed to expanding the influence of the beautiful game.

Courtesy AFC

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AFC Grassroots Football Day returns for 11th edition

AIPS ASIA News:

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s unwavering commitment to ensure football remains Asia’s number one sport, reached yet another significant milestone when as many as 43 Member Associations (MAs) of the Confederation pledged to join the AFC Grassroots Football Day 2024.

This year, almost 45,000 participants spanning the length and breadth of Asia, and across age-groups, social backgrounds, and abilities, are expected to join in the celebration, upholding the Confederation’s ambitions to encourage mass participation.

Marking the highest participation since the relaxation of COVID-19 related constraints, the 11th edition will see its MAs harness the power of the beautiful game to spread joy and put smiles on the faces of children across Asia.

In India, the AFC Grassroots Football Day is being celebrated as a nationwide effort, with over 22,000 participants engaging in a variety of events spanning several weeks, including friendly tournaments and seminars aimed at promoting the development of women’s football in the country, whereas almost 1500 youngsters will participate in football festivals in Qatar and Uzbekistan respectively.

Similarly, MAs such as the Bhutan Football Federation, Palestine Football Association, and Mongolia Football Federation, are set to organise festivals comprising mini-tournaments and small-sided games, while the Kyrgyz Football Union will commemorate the day by conducting seminars for the region’s coaches and tutors to hone their understanding of children’s psychology and qualities required in a modern-day coach.

Moreover, the Japan Football Association will bring back the beloved Penguins Cup MAKUHARI in collaboration with the Japan Walking Football Federation, while the Guam Football Association will also include Walking Football in their celebrations along with Golf Football.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “For a decade now, the annual celebration has remained a symbol of the Confederation’s unwavering support and dedication towards the enhancement and nurturing of grassroots football across our diverse Continent.”

“As underlined in our Vision and Mission, the AFC is resolute in its ambitions to ensure the success of our national teams and clubs on the highest of stages. But to ensure this growth in a sustainable manner, we must never take our eyes off our very foundation – the grassroots.

“But, as we all know, there is a larger purpose to developing football at the grassroots level than just creating a pipeline of future stars. It is just as much about fostering widespread engagement and instilling a love for the sport, and using the massive potential of football to create well-rounded individuals.

“So, I must applaud the incredible amount of work that the various members and regional associations have undertaken to ensure that football remains accessible to all members of society, irrespective of their age, status, gender, and abilities.”

Since the last iteration of the AFC Grassroots Football Day, the Confederation has also marked the return of events such as the AFC Grassroots Conference and the AFC Special Grassroots Awards, while membership under the AFC Grassroots Charter now boasts 41 members.

Additionally, the latest edition of the AFC Grassroots Review was also published earlier this year, revisiting the initiatives of the AFC’s MAs that have contributed to expanding the influence of the beautiful game.

Courtesy AFC

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Jeonbuk State, in collaboration with the Jeonbuk State Office of Education and Jeonbuk Physicl Education Middle & High School, is continuing international exchange and friendship through sports by delivering sports equipment donated by students to youth in three African nations. On the 5th, the State and the Office of Education held a send-off ceremony at Jeonbuk Sports Middle & High School for the project titled “Re; Play Together, Jeonbuk Sports Friendship Gifts,” shipping the items to Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Namibia. The theme, ‘Re; Play Together,’ signifies resuming games (Re; Play) that had been halted due to a shortage of soccer balls and sports gear, this time together with Jeonbuk.

This initiative goes beyond mere material support; it aims to practice solidarity and friendship across borders through sports and to expand the foundation for exchange among future generations. In particular, sharing equipment that students actually used spreads the value of sharing while extending Jeonbuk’s international sports diplomacy into schools and the local community. The project originated from visits last year by officials from Zimbabwe and Namibia, with whom Jeonbuk has maintained international sports exchanges. During their visit to Jeonbuk Sports Middle & High School, they requested support for sports equipment. Students readily agreed to contribute, leading to a broader international exchange program supported by the State, the Office of Education, and the school. The donated items total 616 pieces across 12 sports, including soccer, taekwondo, shooting, archery, swimming, etc. —comprising both gear previously used by students and new items collected for this project. The equipment will be delivered to the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and National Olympic Committees of each country via Zimbabwean diplomatic missions and international shipping. It will then be distributed to young athletes and youth active in organizations such as the Kirsty Coventry Academy in Zimbabwe, the Waitaka Taekwondo Club in Kenya, and the MTC Hopsol Youth Soccer League in Namibia.

Kim Jong-phil, Director General of Jeonbuk State’s 2036 Summer Olympics Bid Department, stated: “I hope the precious sports items that nurtured the dreams of our Jeonbuk students will serve as a new source of hope for African youth. Moving forward, we will continue to promote international exchange through sports, guided by the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) core values of inclusion and solidarity.” Im Young-gun, Director of Arts, Physical Ed & Health Division at the Jeonbuk State Office of Education, said, “It was a meaningful opportunity for our students to put into practice the spirit of sportsmanship through sharing and caring while developing a global perspective. We hope that the students’ small but heartfelt gesture will be warmly received by young people in Africa.”

Meanwhile, Jeonbuk State has been steadily expanding its international sports network by dispatching a Taekwondo demonstration team to the World Taekwondo U-21 Championship in Kenya, participating in the World Union of Olympic Cities General Assembly, and broadening sports exchanges with African nations. Starting with the “Sports Friendship Gift” pilot project, Jeonbuk State plans to consider expanding the countries and sports covered by the initiative, while also promoting the hosting of international sporting events and exchange programs inviting young athletes from overseas, with the goal of developing Jeonbuk into a specialized international sports city.

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