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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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 First-ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup mascot unveiled

Peshawar, December 05, 2025: With less than 100 days to go, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ today unveiled the first-ever official mascot in the history of the competition: Naara, the fire horse.

Introduced to fans amid festivities celebrating International Volunteers’ Day in Gold Coast, the milestone follows the launch of WAVEMAKER, the tournament’s first-ever bespoke match ball created by Kelme, further underscoring the AFC’s commitment to setting new benchmarks for the Continent’s premier women’s national team competition.

The name Naara refers to “the one on fire” in the language of the Noongar people of Western Australia, where fire symbolises renewal, connection, and new beginnings – values that reflect the strength, resilience, and unity at the heart of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.

AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said: “The unveiling of the official mascot marks yet another exciting chapter in the history of the  AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ and reflects the continued growth and momentum of the women’s game across the Continent.

“I believe it embodies the energy, pride, and excitement generated by women’s football across Asia, and especially in Australia, as we look ahead to a tournament that promises to inspire players, fans, and communities alike.”

Sarah Walsh, Chief Operating Officer, AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Local Organising Committee, said: “Naara is a powerful symbol of the courage, culture and ambition driving this tournament and reflects what makes the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ so special — an Asian tournament delivered here in Australia, shaped by the richness of Asian tradition and deeply connected to Australia’s First Nations history. She is a true fusion of cultures and a reminder that football is a truly global game.

“Today is especially meaningful because we’re celebrating her launch with the volunteers who will be the heart and soul of this tournament. Unveiling the first mascot in the tournament’s history is just another example of how the 2026 edition is breaking new ground and setting a new benchmark for women’s football in Asia.”

With boldness, dynamism, and unstoppable momentum at the core of her existence, Naara’s story pays homage to the evolution of women’s football in Asia, as well as the aspirations of the 12 teams set to compete in the Continental showpiece from March 1 to 21, 2026.

Based on the myth of a fire horse, Naara acts as the living flame of the tournament and honours the fearless ambition of women footballers across Asia.

Drawing inspiration from Asian cultural heritage such as the lunar calendar, Australia’s natural landscapes, and First Nations storytelling, the mascot also honours Australia’s wildlife, particularly the wild horses that roam freely across its deserts and bushlands.

Making her debut in front of tournament volunteers on International Volunteers Day, Naara also unveiled the official tournament volunteer uniform, created by Anytime Fitness, the official regional partner of the competition, underscoring the partnership’s commitment to celebrating strength, community, and leadership, as well as empowering volunteers to serve as ambassadors of health and wellness.

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 First-ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup mascot unveiled

Peshawar, December 05, 2025: With less than 100 days to go, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ today unveiled the first-ever official mascot in the history of the competition: Naara, the fire horse.

Introduced to fans amid festivities celebrating International Volunteers’ Day in Gold Coast, the milestone follows the launch of WAVEMAKER, the tournament’s first-ever bespoke match ball created by Kelme, further underscoring the AFC’s commitment to setting new benchmarks for the Continent’s premier women’s national team competition.

The name Naara refers to “the one on fire” in the language of the Noongar people of Western Australia, where fire symbolises renewal, connection, and new beginnings – values that reflect the strength, resilience, and unity at the heart of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.

AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said: “The unveiling of the official mascot marks yet another exciting chapter in the history of the  AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ and reflects the continued growth and momentum of the women’s game across the Continent.

“I believe it embodies the energy, pride, and excitement generated by women’s football across Asia, and especially in Australia, as we look ahead to a tournament that promises to inspire players, fans, and communities alike.”

Sarah Walsh, Chief Operating Officer, AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Local Organising Committee, said: “Naara is a powerful symbol of the courage, culture and ambition driving this tournament and reflects what makes the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ so special — an Asian tournament delivered here in Australia, shaped by the richness of Asian tradition and deeply connected to Australia’s First Nations history. She is a true fusion of cultures and a reminder that football is a truly global game.

“Today is especially meaningful because we’re celebrating her launch with the volunteers who will be the heart and soul of this tournament. Unveiling the first mascot in the tournament’s history is just another example of how the 2026 edition is breaking new ground and setting a new benchmark for women’s football in Asia.”

With boldness, dynamism, and unstoppable momentum at the core of her existence, Naara’s story pays homage to the evolution of women’s football in Asia, as well as the aspirations of the 12 teams set to compete in the Continental showpiece from March 1 to 21, 2026.

Based on the myth of a fire horse, Naara acts as the living flame of the tournament and honours the fearless ambition of women footballers across Asia.

Drawing inspiration from Asian cultural heritage such as the lunar calendar, Australia’s natural landscapes, and First Nations storytelling, the mascot also honours Australia’s wildlife, particularly the wild horses that roam freely across its deserts and bushlands.

Making her debut in front of tournament volunteers on International Volunteers Day, Naara also unveiled the official tournament volunteer uniform, created by Anytime Fitness, the official regional partner of the competition, underscoring the partnership’s commitment to celebrating strength, community, and leadership, as well as empowering volunteers to serve as ambassadors of health and wellness.

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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