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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 2025 returns for 12th edition

AIPS ASIA News:

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s undeterred efforts to expand the reach of the beautiful game across the Continent were once again underlined as 42 Member Associations (MAs) joined in celebrating the 12th AFC Grassroots Football Day.

The 2025 edition of the event saw more than 31,000 participants commemorate the occasion, bringing to life the AFC’s philosophy of offering every individual, regardless of age, physical ability, or social circumstances, the opportunity to experience the power of football.

Traditionally celebrated on May 15, this year’s event marked a shift, taking place on May 23 in alignment with FIFA’s World Football Week, enabling the AFC to further contribute to the United Nations’ “Football for the Goals” initiative and the advancement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In Singapore, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) partnered with the Safe Sport Commission Singapore to host United Through Football – A Day of Play & Safe Sport, aimed at creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive football ecosystem.

The event not only raised awareness among parents but also featured football clinics for children, particularly from the FAS Girl Cubs programme and other non-profit organisations, promoting greater access to sport for underprivileged youth.

Meanwhile, in the Kyrgyz Republic, the day was celebrated in Bishkek and six surrounding regions, where hundreds of children engaged in interactive activities ranging from taking part in 3v3 games to learning drills in football stations. 

Furthermore, across the Continent, several other MAs celebrated with football festivals featuring workshops, small-sided games, and mini tournaments, among other enjoyable activities.

In recognising the efforts of the MAs, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “Over the years, this celebration has not only championed the development of football at its most fundamental level but also embraced values that shape responsible citizens of tomorrow.

“As we all know, at the heart of the AFC’s Vision and Mission lies the ambition to ensure football remains the number one sport in Asia,  and the first step towards that goal begins at the grassroots level.

“The AFC Grassroots Football Day 2025 will place greater emphasis on harnessing the power of football to promote environmentally conscious practices, advocate gender equality, encourage good health and well-being, and raise awareness of child safeguarding. 

“With our collective efforts, I am confident that we will continue to build a brighter future for the next generation — a belief already reflected in our past achievements. And while I am filled with pride by the progress we have made, I am even more excited for what lies ahead.”

Since the 2024 edition, three MAs—the Chinese Football Association, the United Arab Emirates Football Association, and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation—have received gold-level endorsement under the acclaimed AFC Grassroots Football Charter, which now includes 43 members.

Additionally, the latest edition of the AFC Grassroots Review was published in April, showcasing the Confederation’s various initiatives, such as the AFC President’s Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football and the AFC Special Grassroots Awards.

Courtesy AFC

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AFC Grassroots Football Day 2025 returns for 12th edition

AIPS ASIA News:

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s undeterred efforts to expand the reach of the beautiful game across the Continent were once again underlined as 42 Member Associations (MAs) joined in celebrating the 12th AFC Grassroots Football Day.

The 2025 edition of the event saw more than 31,000 participants commemorate the occasion, bringing to life the AFC’s philosophy of offering every individual, regardless of age, physical ability, or social circumstances, the opportunity to experience the power of football.

Traditionally celebrated on May 15, this year’s event marked a shift, taking place on May 23 in alignment with FIFA’s World Football Week, enabling the AFC to further contribute to the United Nations’ “Football for the Goals” initiative and the advancement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In Singapore, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) partnered with the Safe Sport Commission Singapore to host United Through Football – A Day of Play & Safe Sport, aimed at creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive football ecosystem.

The event not only raised awareness among parents but also featured football clinics for children, particularly from the FAS Girl Cubs programme and other non-profit organisations, promoting greater access to sport for underprivileged youth.

Meanwhile, in the Kyrgyz Republic, the day was celebrated in Bishkek and six surrounding regions, where hundreds of children engaged in interactive activities ranging from taking part in 3v3 games to learning drills in football stations. 

Furthermore, across the Continent, several other MAs celebrated with football festivals featuring workshops, small-sided games, and mini tournaments, among other enjoyable activities.

In recognising the efforts of the MAs, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “Over the years, this celebration has not only championed the development of football at its most fundamental level but also embraced values that shape responsible citizens of tomorrow.

“As we all know, at the heart of the AFC’s Vision and Mission lies the ambition to ensure football remains the number one sport in Asia,  and the first step towards that goal begins at the grassroots level.

“The AFC Grassroots Football Day 2025 will place greater emphasis on harnessing the power of football to promote environmentally conscious practices, advocate gender equality, encourage good health and well-being, and raise awareness of child safeguarding. 

“With our collective efforts, I am confident that we will continue to build a brighter future for the next generation — a belief already reflected in our past achievements. And while I am filled with pride by the progress we have made, I am even more excited for what lies ahead.”

Since the 2024 edition, three MAs—the Chinese Football Association, the United Arab Emirates Football Association, and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation—have received gold-level endorsement under the acclaimed AFC Grassroots Football Charter, which now includes 43 members.

Additionally, the latest edition of the AFC Grassroots Review was published in April, showcasing the Confederation’s various initiatives, such as the AFC President’s Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football and the AFC Special Grassroots Awards.

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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