In an act of strengthening friendship and cultural exchange through football, The Japan Foundation Asia Center and the Japan Professional Football League (J. League) will be holding football clinics for kids in the Philippines on February 3 to 5, 2017, welcoming three coaches from J. League club Shonan Bellmare. The Japan Foundation Asia Center, J. League and the Japan Football Association have taken this initiative to encourage various exchange programs in the field of football since November 2014. Its aim is to provide opportunities for people-to-people exchange in the area of football to further strengthen friendship between Japan and other countries and develop the football culture in the Asian region.
One of the key programs in the initiative is the exchange of coaches and players between Japan and ASEAN countries. This encourages young players to pursue their goals and aspire to play in the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. At the same time, the Football Clinics will reinforce football networks and the development of future leaders of football in Asia.
Shonan Bellmare is the J. League Club assigned in the Philippines. This year will be their second time to hold the clinics. Four players and staff members from the Philippines will also be invited to Japan this year to learn more about football culture in Japan and to continue the development and growth of football in the region.
About the Japan Foundation, Manila
The Japan Foundation was established in 1972 by special legislation in the Japanese Diet and became an Independent Administrative Institution in October 2003. The mission of the Japan Foundation is to promote international cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and other countries. As the 18th overseas office, the Japan Foundation, Manila was founded in 1996, active in three focused areas: Arts and Culture; Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange; Japanese-Language Education Overseas. For more information please visit our website at www.jfmo.org.
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