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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 Women’s Football Committee confident #WAC2026 will be catalyst for future growth

July 28, 2025: The AFC Women’s Football Committee today reinforced its belief in Football Australia and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to stage the most successful edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ in history.

Leading its fourth meeting on the eve of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Final Draw in Sydney, Chairperson Ms. Kanya Keomany emphasised the Committee’s conviction in the potential of the 21st edition of Asia’s flagship women’s national team competition to serve as a catalyst in unlocking the promise of the women’s game across the Continent.

Chairperson Ms. Keomany said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to convey our appreciation to Football Australia and the LOC for their impeccable planning and delivery thus far. We applaud them for their commitment towards organising a spectacular showpiece that will not only elevate the women’s game but also establish the gold standard for future editions of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™.

“We wish all our 12 teams the very best of success ahead of tomorrow’s draw and in their preparation ahead of the Finals in March, and we look forward to a true celebration that will engage the millions of passionate fans like never before.”

Turning its attention to another game-changer in women’s football, the Committee also approved the principles of the titleholder slot in the AFC Women’s Champions League™ (AWCL) for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons. Moving forward, the winners of the Continent’s premier women’s club competition will be granted a direct slot in subsequent editions.

Further, in the event the titleholder’s Member Association (MA) does not submit an entry to the AWCL, or is ineligible to participate, the titleholder slot shall be annulled and not be redistributed. Additionally, the country protection principle shall be applied for the Group Stage draw, should there be two (2) clubs from the same MA in the Group Stage.

At the same time, it was agreed that the AFC Women’s Club Competitions Ranking of the 2024/25, 2025/26 and the 2026/27 seasons – to be published at the end of each edition – will determine the slot allocation for the 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 seasons respectively, with the same principles to apply moving forward.

The Committee members were also presented with the current progress of the AFC Club Licensing Regulations Roadmap, which includes the proposed women’s club licensing criteria and aims to ensure that women’s clubs across Asia are given sufficient time to familiarise with the club licensing requirements whilst upholding the highest professional standards as the AFC strives to build a more competitive future for women’s club football.

Meanwhile, the Competition Regulations of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ 2027 and 2028 were approved by the Committee, which also received updates on all women’s football matters in the areas of Competitions, Referees, and Technical since their last meeting in November 2024.

All decisions need to be ratified by the AFC Executive Committee before taking effect.

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AFC Women’s Football Committee confident #WAC2026 will be catalyst for future growth

July 28, 2025: The AFC Women’s Football Committee today reinforced its belief in Football Australia and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to stage the most successful edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ in history.

Leading its fourth meeting on the eve of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Final Draw in Sydney, Chairperson Ms. Kanya Keomany emphasised the Committee’s conviction in the potential of the 21st edition of Asia’s flagship women’s national team competition to serve as a catalyst in unlocking the promise of the women’s game across the Continent.

Chairperson Ms. Keomany said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to convey our appreciation to Football Australia and the LOC for their impeccable planning and delivery thus far. We applaud them for their commitment towards organising a spectacular showpiece that will not only elevate the women’s game but also establish the gold standard for future editions of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™.

“We wish all our 12 teams the very best of success ahead of tomorrow’s draw and in their preparation ahead of the Finals in March, and we look forward to a true celebration that will engage the millions of passionate fans like never before.”

Turning its attention to another game-changer in women’s football, the Committee also approved the principles of the titleholder slot in the AFC Women’s Champions League™ (AWCL) for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons. Moving forward, the winners of the Continent’s premier women’s club competition will be granted a direct slot in subsequent editions.

Further, in the event the titleholder’s Member Association (MA) does not submit an entry to the AWCL, or is ineligible to participate, the titleholder slot shall be annulled and not be redistributed. Additionally, the country protection principle shall be applied for the Group Stage draw, should there be two (2) clubs from the same MA in the Group Stage.

At the same time, it was agreed that the AFC Women’s Club Competitions Ranking of the 2024/25, 2025/26 and the 2026/27 seasons – to be published at the end of each edition – will determine the slot allocation for the 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 seasons respectively, with the same principles to apply moving forward.

The Committee members were also presented with the current progress of the AFC Club Licensing Regulations Roadmap, which includes the proposed women’s club licensing criteria and aims to ensure that women’s clubs across Asia are given sufficient time to familiarise with the club licensing requirements whilst upholding the highest professional standards as the AFC strives to build a more competitive future for women’s club football.

Meanwhile, the Competition Regulations of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ 2027 and 2028 were approved by the Committee, which also received updates on all women’s football matters in the areas of Competitions, Referees, and Technical since their last meeting in November 2024.

All decisions need to be ratified by the AFC Executive Committee before taking effect.

Publications
”More>>”
Videos
”More>>”

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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