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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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Haruna Takata: We’re excited and ready for the AFC Women’s Champions League™

AIPS ASIA News:

With the inaugural edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League™ set to kick off next month, the-AFC.com highlights the inspiring journey of Haruna Takata, Chairperson of Japan’s WE League, one of the fastest-growing leagues on the Continent.

As a key figure in the WE League, Takata has become a driving force in women’s football in the island nation and has dedicated herself to elevating the women’s game both domestically and internationally.

Takata’s foray into football began as a chance encounter in 2017 when her then-employer acquired the professional football club V-Varen Nagasaki, and she has since, turned it into her life’s passion.

In 2018, she joined the club’s management team, and by 2020, had ascended to the position of club president, making her the only female president among the 56 J League clubs at the time.

“I found the imbalance in gender representation to be unnatural,” she said. “At the time, the situation was not uncommon, but in my opinion, the perspective of women is crucial for the progress of football as a whole.”

While considering taking on the challenge of filling the shoes of Kikuko Okajima, the first Chairperson of the WE League, she attended her first WE League game in 2022, where the palpable potential of women’s footballers in the country made her realise her calling.

“When I was thinking about taking up the position of Chairperson, I had the chance to watch a game in the WE League and was really impressed by the players. I felt that I was given an opportunity to promote their talent so that more people, especially women, would know about them and feel proud,” she reminisced.

A quick glance at the current roster of the Nadeshiko Japan paints a vivid picture of the high standards, with six national team players emerging from WE League teams.

In 2023, Japan finished their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign in the Quarter-finals but stunned eventual champions Spain 4-0, with midfielder Hinata Miyazawa picking up the Golden Boot at the competition.

Meanwhile, in 2022, the East Asians finished runners-up at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup where Maika Hamano won the Golden Ball as well as the Silver Boot, while compatriot Yuzuki Yamamoto won the bronze and Japan clinched the Fair Play Award.

“The level of women’s football has significantly improved because players can now dedicate more time to training. As a result, now about half of the national team members are selected from the WE League,” said Takata.

“The league has created a pathway for every girl in Japan to aspire to become a professional football player. The J League was launched about 30 years ago which changed the level of men’s professional football and now, the same thing is happening for the girls,” she continued.

Japan further captured the attention of the Continent by finishing runners-up in both the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ and AFC U17 Asian Cup™ earlier this year, and Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies clinched the final edition of the AFC Women’s Club Championship™. The WE League chief is now keen for Japanese clubs to make their mark at the inaugural edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League™ which kicks off next month.

“The fact that the AFC Women’s Champions League™ is now happening shows that women’s football is becoming equally important on the global stage. Thanks to the AFC, the gap between nations is narrowing and now the clubs can further strengthen their game by playing against each other in a Continental competition,” said the WE League Chairperson.

“Right now, it is very important for fans to show their support to the clubs at the AFC Women’s Champions League™ and I hope that women’s football in Asia will continue to progress and will inspire more girls to play football.”

Launched on the AFC Women’s Football Day in 2018, the AFC’s “It’s My Game” campaign continues to honour inspiring women in football throughout the world’s largest Continent, reaching millions of people via the AFC’s digital channels.

Courtesy AFC

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Haruna Takata: We’re excited and ready for the AFC Women’s Champions League™

AIPS ASIA News:

With the inaugural edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League™ set to kick off next month, the-AFC.com highlights the inspiring journey of Haruna Takata, Chairperson of Japan’s WE League, one of the fastest-growing leagues on the Continent.

As a key figure in the WE League, Takata has become a driving force in women’s football in the island nation and has dedicated herself to elevating the women’s game both domestically and internationally.

Takata’s foray into football began as a chance encounter in 2017 when her then-employer acquired the professional football club V-Varen Nagasaki, and she has since, turned it into her life’s passion.

In 2018, she joined the club’s management team, and by 2020, had ascended to the position of club president, making her the only female president among the 56 J League clubs at the time.

“I found the imbalance in gender representation to be unnatural,” she said. “At the time, the situation was not uncommon, but in my opinion, the perspective of women is crucial for the progress of football as a whole.”

While considering taking on the challenge of filling the shoes of Kikuko Okajima, the first Chairperson of the WE League, she attended her first WE League game in 2022, where the palpable potential of women’s footballers in the country made her realise her calling.

“When I was thinking about taking up the position of Chairperson, I had the chance to watch a game in the WE League and was really impressed by the players. I felt that I was given an opportunity to promote their talent so that more people, especially women, would know about them and feel proud,” she reminisced.

A quick glance at the current roster of the Nadeshiko Japan paints a vivid picture of the high standards, with six national team players emerging from WE League teams.

In 2023, Japan finished their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign in the Quarter-finals but stunned eventual champions Spain 4-0, with midfielder Hinata Miyazawa picking up the Golden Boot at the competition.

Meanwhile, in 2022, the East Asians finished runners-up at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup where Maika Hamano won the Golden Ball as well as the Silver Boot, while compatriot Yuzuki Yamamoto won the bronze and Japan clinched the Fair Play Award.

“The level of women’s football has significantly improved because players can now dedicate more time to training. As a result, now about half of the national team members are selected from the WE League,” said Takata.

“The league has created a pathway for every girl in Japan to aspire to become a professional football player. The J League was launched about 30 years ago which changed the level of men’s professional football and now, the same thing is happening for the girls,” she continued.

Japan further captured the attention of the Continent by finishing runners-up in both the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ and AFC U17 Asian Cup™ earlier this year, and Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies clinched the final edition of the AFC Women’s Club Championship™. The WE League chief is now keen for Japanese clubs to make their mark at the inaugural edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League™ which kicks off next month.

“The fact that the AFC Women’s Champions League™ is now happening shows that women’s football is becoming equally important on the global stage. Thanks to the AFC, the gap between nations is narrowing and now the clubs can further strengthen their game by playing against each other in a Continental competition,” said the WE League Chairperson.

“Right now, it is very important for fans to show their support to the clubs at the AFC Women’s Champions League™ and I hope that women’s football in Asia will continue to progress and will inspire more girls to play football.”

Launched on the AFC Women’s Football Day in 2018, the AFC’s “It’s My Game” campaign continues to honour inspiring women in football throughout the world’s largest Continent, reaching millions of people via the AFC’s digital channels.

Courtesy AFC

Publications
”More>>”
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”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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