On Friday 22 and Saturday 23 August, “For Fukushima’s Restoration- Kokumin Kyosai U-12 Football Tournament 2014” was held at Somakoyo Soccer Field in Soma, Fukushima. This tournament is organised by Zenrosai Fukushima and the Fukushima Football Association and designed to return a favour and appreciation for all the supports provided by the entire football family for the restoration from the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear disaster. Zenrosai is also listed as the special sponsor for the U-12 Football League. In the tournament the total of 24 teams including 12 teams invited from outside of Fukushima Prefecture are placed into three groups and each group had its matches. At the welcome reception, popular local foods were on the table for the attendees and the festivities included a bingo game. For two days, all the participants enjoyed not only football but also spending time with other participants from across the nation.

In addition, a team from Nagano brought up a fantastic idea of making up a memorial flag, where participants wrote down their own wishes and messages for the future on a flag carrying a Japanese letter “絆(Kizuna)” meaning relationship. It strengthened the “Kizuna” even more firmly among the football family.

Comments from Organisers

KOIKE Tadashi, President of Fukushima Football Association
The Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear disaster devastated our coastal area and the tsunami took so many lives there. Even today, the radiation problem still keeps so many people away from their homes in Minami Futaba area. However, all the generous supports and messages from all over the country have given us energy to move forward. I sincerely appreciate for it. During this period our children couldn’t play football here but they have been invited to many festivals and friendly matches, and they were so happy for the precious playing experience.

As one of the steps toward restoration, Somakoyo Football Field has been beautifully completed by Soma City and with supports from the FIFA and the JFA. We wanted to take this opportunity to show our appreciation for all the thoughtful supports, so we decided to hold this tournament with kind help from Zenrosai Fukushima. We had 24 teams including teams from Kyoto, Nagano Chiba and other parts of the country, and children enjoyed spending two days together. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all parties involved. Our hospitality efforts may not be satisfying enough, it would be appreciated if you would consider the fact that we are still in the middle of our restoration and resources are limited.

In conclusion, I would like to convey my sincere appreciation to Zenrosai Fukushima for their total support for this event.

AOTA Hidemitsu, President of Soso Football Association/President of Dream Soccer Soma
They were two hot days, but still we had cool sea breeze blowing over this beautiful grass field. Children were so energetic out there and enjoyed playing in this tournament as it was their last event of summer break from school. I think guest teams also felt local kids’ positive and appreciative attitude.

Comments form Participants

KIYOSUMI Keishi (Yashiro Sports Club Football Team, Nagano)
I went to Fukushima for three days from 22 to 24 August. It was my second time to go to Fukushima. We played two friendly matches and the total of six matches in two days. Our results weren’t very good, but it was a lot of fun to spend time with teams in Fukushima.
In the sightseeing on the third day, we went to the coast and prayed for a minute at the memorial monument. I never want a disaster like this killing so many people to happen again. I will never forget this three-day trip.
If I have a chance to go to Fukushima again, I will have more time with them and make friends with them.

KARAKI Mitsunori (Yashiro Sports Club Football Team, Nagano)
“We would like to hold a friendly tournament and invite teams from regions which continuously support Fukushima. Hopefully they will have an opportunity to see the reality and learn something….”
These sentences in the letter brought me a mixed feeling including happiness and others. Thanks to the great efforts by Fukushima Football Association officers in spite of the fact that they are in the middle of their restoration process, I am extremely happy that we could spend precious time together on this beautiful pitch.

Coaches and people here are fighting through their own suffering and sorrow and still keep coaching kids here. Watching them do those touched my heart. No matter where we live, as a football coach and member of the same football family, I am very proud that I could have an opportunity to meet such strong-willed people.