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.

Events
”More>>”
Journalists on the podium
”More>>”
Advertisement
Young Reporter’s corner
”More>>”

AFC Member Associations and Regional Associations Presidents’ and General Secretaries’ Conference 2026 reinforces unity, inspires growth

Peshawar, October 22, 2026: Asian football’s foremost leaders concluded the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) Presidents’ and General Secretaries’ Conference 2026 on Wednesday with an inspired outlook for the future.

Hosted in Japan for the first time, the fourth edition of the flagship gathering fostered two days of insightful discussions, knowledge-sharing and collaboration among the 120 participants, while reaffirming the AFC’s commitment to empowering its MAs and RAs. Following an opening day delegates returned for a final programme that covered sustainability and equality, technology, women’s football, competitions planning, refereeing and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™. Proceedings kicked off with a presentation titled “The New Frontier: Pioneering the Global Future of Women’s Football” by Michele Kang, Founder of Kynisca, which examined the outlook of the rapidly evolving women’s landscape, drawing from her experience as the owner of women’s clubs Washington Spirit, OL Lyonnes and London City Lionesses.

Hirokazu Abe, AFC Head of Referees Department, followed that by elaborating on strategic investments in referee development, before Craig Hepburn, Chief Executive Officer and Founding Partner of 1706 Studio, built on the previous day’s AI presentation with a practical session that allowed delegates to examine real-world applications of emerging technologies and their myriad potential uses. The Confederation’s efforts to accelerate the growth of the women’s game throughout the Continent were then outlined by Bai Lili, AFC Head of Women’s Football Development, while Robert Skinner, Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement at the United Nations, highlighted the ways in which football organisations can harness the power of the game to advance wider social objectives and contribute to sustainable development agendas with the “Beyond the Pitch: Member Associations Leading on the UN’s Football for the Goals Initiative” session. Jessie Dai Shengying, AFC Head of Competitions Strategy Department, then underscored the importance of detailed planning and regulatory standards in shaping the AFC’s suite of competitions, before Mohammed Q Alghamdi, Director of Media of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Local Organising Committee, capped off the presentations with insight into the preparations for the 19th edition of Asia’s crown jewel.

Ms. Siti Zuraina Abdullah, President of the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam, said: “I have found the past two days to be exceptionally valuable and productive, providing us with an important platform to engage in meaningful discussions on a wide range of subjects that are shaping the future of football. The Conference has provided an excellent opportunity to gain fresh perspectives, exchange ideas and learn from experts whose knowledge and experience will undoubtedly help us strengthen our respective organisations, as it has consistently done over the past Conferences.” “One of the most valuable aspects of this Conference has been the opportunity to connect with fellow leaders from across Asia and exchange views on our shared challenges, experiences and ambitions,” said Mr. Serdar Geldiyev, General Secretary of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan. “Throughout the Conference, we have seen a powerful spirit of unity, cooperation and mutual respect – a reflection of the strength and potential of the Asian football family. These conversations have gone beyond the exchange of ideas; they have strengthened relationships, broadened our perspective and reinforced our shared commitment to the continued development of the game. “I return home with renewed motivation and a strong sense of responsibility for the work ahead. The future of Asian football will be shaped by how effectively we come together, share knowledge and turn our common ambitions into action. If we continue to work with unity, vision and determination, there is no limit to what we can achieve for football across our continent and for the generations to come.”

Partners
Advertisement

AFC Member Associations and Regional Associations Presidents’ and General Secretaries’ Conference 2026 reinforces unity, inspires growth

Peshawar, October 22, 2026: Asian football’s foremost leaders concluded the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) Presidents’ and General Secretaries’ Conference 2026 on Wednesday with an inspired outlook for the future.

Hosted in Japan for the first time, the fourth edition of the flagship gathering fostered two days of insightful discussions, knowledge-sharing and collaboration among the 120 participants, while reaffirming the AFC’s commitment to empowering its MAs and RAs. Following an opening day delegates returned for a final programme that covered sustainability and equality, technology, women’s football, competitions planning, refereeing and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™. Proceedings kicked off with a presentation titled “The New Frontier: Pioneering the Global Future of Women’s Football” by Michele Kang, Founder of Kynisca, which examined the outlook of the rapidly evolving women’s landscape, drawing from her experience as the owner of women’s clubs Washington Spirit, OL Lyonnes and London City Lionesses.

Hirokazu Abe, AFC Head of Referees Department, followed that by elaborating on strategic investments in referee development, before Craig Hepburn, Chief Executive Officer and Founding Partner of 1706 Studio, built on the previous day’s AI presentation with a practical session that allowed delegates to examine real-world applications of emerging technologies and their myriad potential uses. The Confederation’s efforts to accelerate the growth of the women’s game throughout the Continent were then outlined by Bai Lili, AFC Head of Women’s Football Development, while Robert Skinner, Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement at the United Nations, highlighted the ways in which football organisations can harness the power of the game to advance wider social objectives and contribute to sustainable development agendas with the “Beyond the Pitch: Member Associations Leading on the UN’s Football for the Goals Initiative” session. Jessie Dai Shengying, AFC Head of Competitions Strategy Department, then underscored the importance of detailed planning and regulatory standards in shaping the AFC’s suite of competitions, before Mohammed Q Alghamdi, Director of Media of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Local Organising Committee, capped off the presentations with insight into the preparations for the 19th edition of Asia’s crown jewel.

Ms. Siti Zuraina Abdullah, President of the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam, said: “I have found the past two days to be exceptionally valuable and productive, providing us with an important platform to engage in meaningful discussions on a wide range of subjects that are shaping the future of football. The Conference has provided an excellent opportunity to gain fresh perspectives, exchange ideas and learn from experts whose knowledge and experience will undoubtedly help us strengthen our respective organisations, as it has consistently done over the past Conferences.” “One of the most valuable aspects of this Conference has been the opportunity to connect with fellow leaders from across Asia and exchange views on our shared challenges, experiences and ambitions,” said Mr. Serdar Geldiyev, General Secretary of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan. “Throughout the Conference, we have seen a powerful spirit of unity, cooperation and mutual respect – a reflection of the strength and potential of the Asian football family. These conversations have gone beyond the exchange of ideas; they have strengthened relationships, broadened our perspective and reinforced our shared commitment to the continued development of the game. “I return home with renewed motivation and a strong sense of responsibility for the work ahead. The future of Asian football will be shaped by how effectively we come together, share knowledge and turn our common ambitions into action. If we continue to work with unity, vision and determination, there is no limit to what we can achieve for football across our continent and for the generations to come.”

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.

Events
”More>>”
Journalists on the podium
”More>>”
Advertisement
Young Reporter’s corner
”More>>”
Partners
Advertisement

All News

Video Gallery