120 Children Participate in JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids in France
Jul 25, 2024
NEWS
Around 120 French kids and children of Japanese families living in France participated in the program, experiencing the joy of soccer through mini games, playing alongside special guests Christophe Dugarry, former member of the French national team, and Philippe Troussier, former manager of Japan’s national team.
Transcending cultural and language barriers, and nurturing children’s dreams through soccer
JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids Captain Atsuto Uchida also joined the event.
They shared their own experiences, and conveyed to the children the importance of physical activity through sports, and the allure of soccer.
The children wore uniforms of DRY EX T-shirts provided by UNIQLO, which all participants received as a gift. Dressed like soccer players in their colorful uniforms, the children ran with great energy up and down the pitch at Clairefontaine.
What is JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids?
JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids is a mini soccer festival open to children aged six or younger, conducted as a joint initiative between UNIQLO and JFA.
Since its launch in 2003, the program has provided more than 300,000 children with opportunities to enjoy soccer at stadiums throughout Japan.
The program recently expanded overseas, with France becoming the fourth country outside Japan to host the festival, alongside Singapore, Germany, and Vietnam.
JFA and UNIQLO will continue to support the aspirations and independence of children through sport, and contribute to improving local communities.
JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids official website
Comments from organizers and guests following the event
(From right: Atsuto Uchida, captain of JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids; Toko Amemiya, freelance announcer and essayist; Christophe Dugarry, former member of the French national team; Koji Yanai, Fast Retailing Group senior executive officer; Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, president of the JFA; Philippe Troussier, former manager of Japan’s national team)
Tsuneyasu Miyamoto
President of the Japan Football Association
“I am glad that we were blessed with good weather, and that many children were able to enjoy playing in this wonderful facility in France. To break through in the future, while it is important to acquire skills and build a foundation of physical strength, mental preparation is also necessary. To improve quickly, I hope that the children will continue to focus on these aspects and grow.”
Atsuto Uchida
Captain of JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids
“At the vast and beautiful soccer stadium in Clairefontaine, I was able to feel the joy of playing soccer and exercising with children from Japan and France, which was a very meaningful time for me. Through JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids, we will continue to convey the importance of enjoying soccer and sports to children around the world.”
Christophe Dugarry
Former member of the French national team
“I believe that conveying and passing on our experiences to children is a very important role. I began playing soccer when I was six years old, but I never had the opportunity to play in such a privileged environment like this event. I have four sons now, and I hope that they will stand on this pitch one day.”
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