Module 1 of the AFC-JFA Pro Diploma course for female coaches in Asia, which has started on Friday, October 18, has successfully finished on 26. The 20 participants completed a 9-day programme with lectures, match analysis, field practice, and coaching practice with their peers from 14 countries, taking the first step toward obtaining their professional licenses.

Module 1 was held mainly on the theme of “Leadership Capability”.
As for the lectures, in addition to sessions by the course tutors, there were many thought-provoking sessions including an interview session with FIFA expert and former Nadeshiko Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda.

Also, in the coaching session, the participants from overseas had very big challenges since they had to deliver their training sessions in English with Japanese players. However, they prepared very well and, with the support of the Japanese participants, had productive training sessions.

Although the initial atmosphere was a bit tense at first due to the language barrier and the different cultural backgrounds of the participants, through the various workshops and training sessions they came to understand each other better, and their bonds with each other deepened greatly.

The next module will be held in January 2025.
All 20 participants listed below join the programme:
Anju Shivaji Turambekar – UZB/IND
Ayako Takematsu – JPN
Catherine Louise Cannuli – AUS
Chaoba Devi Langam – IND
Chownee Phanlert – THA
Dayoung Lee – KOR
Dongna Li – CHN
Eri Higashi - JPN
Hiroko Kanno – JPN
Kana Suzuki – JPN
Karma Dema – BHU
Kuei-Hua Lu – TPE
Luna Rami Amin Almasri -JOR
Niloofar Ardallani – IRN
Petronella Douny – MAS
San San Thein – MYA
Satoko Matsumura – JPN
Tamai Kawashima – JPN
Wing Kum NG – HKG
Yoshie Kuwahara – JPN

Comment from Tutors

Takeshi ONO, Deputy Technical Director (AFC)
There are female coaches, not only in Japan but also in Asia, who have great talent but are unable to participate in the Pro-Diploma Course.
AFC and JFA have been in discussions for two years to give these coaches the opportunity to participate in this course, which was launched as a pilot project.
The first module, with 20 participants from 14 countries, got off to a great start thanks to the commitment of the participants and the excellent support of the JFA.
I am sure that the course, which was conducted entirely in English, was not without its challenges, but the brightness in the eyes of the participants, as they worked hard to communicate and tackle each assignment with passion and cooperation with their peers, gave me a sense of the new future of Japan and Asia.
In addition to Kageyama TD and other JFA experts, we also had the opportunity to meet with Professor Sakamoto, a leading expert in ASE education; Michiko Dohi, who works in the medical department of FIFA/AFC; Nuno Gomes, a former Portuguese striker (FIFA) who shared his wonderful experience with us; former USA women's national team W FIFA), former USA women's national team FIFA World Cup winning captain April Heinrichs (FIFA), former U-17 Switzerland national team coach and world champion Dany Ryser, former Nadeshiko Japan (Japan women's national team) coach Futoshi Ikeda, AFC leadership training Wim Koevermans, and other great guests. They provided insights into the course from a variety of angles.
On behalf of AFC, I would like to thank all the participants from different countries with passionate hearts who will continue to grow together in a strong bond, and the JFA staff who supported this course with the best hospitality.

Comment from Participants

Ms. San San Thein (Myanmar)
In this course, we share our knowledge with each other, and I got various opinions and thoughts from other participants and the tutors as well. I will share the experience and knowledge I got in this course with the coaches in Myanmar to improve the women’s football and coach education.

Ms. Yoshie Kuwahara (Japan)
I took this course to learn professional football coaching and to get the knowledge from the female leaders in other Asian MAs. Through this course, I want to be a leader who can manage everything, and I will make every effort both on-the pitch and the off-the pitch to achieve this.

Ms. Chaoba Devi Langam (India)
I participate in this course since the Indian women’s football is developing and we need more experience and knowledge to get the next level. Especially, I would like to help the girls’ teams in the cities and the villages as well. I want to be a role model who supports and encourages girls’ players as a good leader. This course is fantastic, and I would like to see the participants and tutors soon in the next module.