Last Updated: 2023.07.03
Japan Football Association UNIQLO SOCCER KIDS Festival Held for First Time in Vietnam - Celebrating 50 years of Japanese-Vietnamese friendship through soccer
UNIQLO CO., LTD.
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Over 240 children participated in the first-ever Japan Football Association (JFA) UNIQLO Soccer Kids event to be held in Vietnam over the weekend, as part of a project to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam. The soccer festival for preschoolers was held on July 1st and 2nd in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, respectively, with both Vietnamese and Japanese children living in the country experiencing the fun of soccer through 6-on-6 mini-games.
Participating children were joined by Japanese former professional soccer player Atsuto Uchida, who serves as captain of JFA Uniqlo Soccer Kids, and former members of the Vietnam national soccer team, making for a memorable event celebrating the friendship between Japan and Vietnam.
Atsuto Uchida, Captain of JFA Uniqlo Soccer Kids, said: "I am happy that through JFA Uniqlo Soccer Kids, we were able to share the joy and fun of soccer and physical activity with children in Japan and around the world. It was hot, but I was able to play a lot of soccer with the children in a wonderful setting, so I enjoyed myself very much."
Former Vietnam national team members, Pham Thanh Luong and Nguyen Viet Thang, participated as special guests at the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City venues, respectively, lending excitement to the festival. JFA General Secretary Tsuneyasu Miyamoto also made an appearance at the Ho Chi Minh City venue to share his memories of playing in Vietnam as a member of the Japan national team. Captain Uchida and the two former Vietnam national team players joined in the mini-games, interacting with the children through sport and conversation. In the muggy summer heat characteristic of Vietnam, the children wore DRY EX T-shirts provided by UNIQLO, taking frequent water breaks as they cheerfully chased the ball.
The festival was part of an official project to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam, held as a means of deepening mutual understanding and promoting friendship between the two countries. Going forward, UNIQLO will continue to work with JFA and Captain Uchida to support children's dreams and independence through sport, and contribute to the realization of a better world.
About JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids
JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids is a mini soccer festival for preschool children aged six and under. It has been held throughout Japan since 2003 by Japan Football Association (JFA) as part of the JFA Kids Program with special support from UNIQLO Co., Ltd. This is the third time the festival has been held overseas, following previous events in Singapore and Germany. More than 300,000 children have participated in the free program to date. The small team-style mini soccer tournament gives children the opportunity to enjoy sports while learning independence and teamwork.
JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids official website:
https://www.jfa.jp/eng/football_family/festival/kidsfestival-usk/
