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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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Shaikh Salman honours five-star DPR Korea on record victory

China, May 18, 2026: Following the thrilling conclusion of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has extended his warmest congratulations to DPR Korea for securing an unprecedented fifth continental crown after at the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium. Prior to Sunday’s Final, both teams stood deadlocked as the joint-most decorated nations with each holding four titles. With this monumental victory, DPR Korea retained the coveted silverware to stand tall as the most celebrated team in the competition’s history.

Hailing their tactical discipline and consistency, the AFC President said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to convey my heartfelt congratulations to DPR Korea for winning a record fifth AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ title.” Singling out the DPR Korea Football Association and the Japan Football Association for establishing a relentless conveyor belt of world-class talent over the years, Shaikh Salman added: “The standard set by both Japan and DPR Korea in this showpiece is unparalleled. For over two decades, these two Member Associations have consistently pushed each other to elite heights. Their rivalry has not only defined this competition but has also driven the rapid tactical and technical evolution of women’s youth football across the entire globe.”

The AFC President also commended all 12 Participating Member Associations and recognised semi-finalists China PR and Australia who—alongside the two finalists—are set to represent Asia at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026. He added: “We witnessed a landmark campaign from debutants Lebanon, whose historic maiden appearance inspired fans across their nation, as well as a magnificent milestone for India, who reached their first-ever Quarter-finals. These breakthroughs prove that our structured development pathways and expanded format are effectively closing the gap and elevating the competitive standards.

“Asian teams have emerged as champions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on six occasions since the competition’s inception. As we look to the ninth edition, I am confident that our formidable quartet will strive for excellence once more and we wish reigning world champions DPR Korea, Japan, debutants Australia, and China PR the very best of fortunes as they seek to bring more global honours to our great region.” Shaikh Salman concluded by expressing his gratitude to the hosts for organising the newly expanded 12-team edition and providing a magnificent platform for the Continent’s rising female stars: “I must extend our profound appreciation to the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and the Local Organising Committee for delivering an exceptional, top-tier stage in Suzhou.

“By stepping forward to host this tournament for a record fourth time and commendably executing our newly expanded 12-team format, the CFA has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the AFC’s Vision and Mission of providing our youth teams with an unrivalled arena to showcase their outstanding talent.”

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Shaikh Salman honours five-star DPR Korea on record victory

China, May 18, 2026: Following the thrilling conclusion of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has extended his warmest congratulations to DPR Korea for securing an unprecedented fifth continental crown after at the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium. Prior to Sunday’s Final, both teams stood deadlocked as the joint-most decorated nations with each holding four titles. With this monumental victory, DPR Korea retained the coveted silverware to stand tall as the most celebrated team in the competition’s history.

Hailing their tactical discipline and consistency, the AFC President said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to convey my heartfelt congratulations to DPR Korea for winning a record fifth AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ title.” Singling out the DPR Korea Football Association and the Japan Football Association for establishing a relentless conveyor belt of world-class talent over the years, Shaikh Salman added: “The standard set by both Japan and DPR Korea in this showpiece is unparalleled. For over two decades, these two Member Associations have consistently pushed each other to elite heights. Their rivalry has not only defined this competition but has also driven the rapid tactical and technical evolution of women’s youth football across the entire globe.”

The AFC President also commended all 12 Participating Member Associations and recognised semi-finalists China PR and Australia who—alongside the two finalists—are set to represent Asia at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026. He added: “We witnessed a landmark campaign from debutants Lebanon, whose historic maiden appearance inspired fans across their nation, as well as a magnificent milestone for India, who reached their first-ever Quarter-finals. These breakthroughs prove that our structured development pathways and expanded format are effectively closing the gap and elevating the competitive standards.

“Asian teams have emerged as champions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on six occasions since the competition’s inception. As we look to the ninth edition, I am confident that our formidable quartet will strive for excellence once more and we wish reigning world champions DPR Korea, Japan, debutants Australia, and China PR the very best of fortunes as they seek to bring more global honours to our great region.” Shaikh Salman concluded by expressing his gratitude to the hosts for organising the newly expanded 12-team edition and providing a magnificent platform for the Continent’s rising female stars: “I must extend our profound appreciation to the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and the Local Organising Committee for delivering an exceptional, top-tier stage in Suzhou.

“By stepping forward to host this tournament for a record fourth time and commendably executing our newly expanded 12-team format, the CFA has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the AFC’s Vision and Mission of providing our youth teams with an unrivalled arena to showcase their outstanding talent.”

Publications
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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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