Japan-Mekong U-15 Football Exchange Programme had its final day and they moved the programme venue from Osaka to Tokyo, and representatives and captains of each team visited State Guest Houses in Tokyo to meet government leaders of each countries who have been visiting Japan for the Seventh Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting. Each country’s leaders presented a ball with their signatures and a memorial jacket to the captains and then they had a photo session together.

The other team members enjoyed a Japanese calligraphy class, which was organised by the Japan Foundation Asia Centre (JFAC) who is also the co-host of this Football Exchange Programme. The players found it difficult to write words with a brush for the first time, but eventually they became to be able to write their name in Hiragana, Japanese letters, very well and showed their work amongst each other. They enjoyed communicating beyond their own nation while experiencing Japan’s traditional culture.

After the class, all the team members visited Odaiba to have a meal and enjoyed shopping. They bought souvenirs from shops such as a 100-yen shop and a football shop. The programme ended in a positive atmosphere and 4 teams excluding Cambodia will go back to their countries tomorrow.

Cambodia national team will stay in Japan until 20 July for training camp in Sendai.

Team Leaders and Players’ Comments

Phonepaseuth Phetsomphou, Team Leader (U-15 Laos National Team)
It is such an honor to meet Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan and Thammavong, Prime Minister of Laos in the State Guest Houses in Tokyo. I appreciate the support that the Japan Football Association has made for us, and now it is officially announced in The Seventh Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting that Japan will make state level cooperation to encourage football in Laos. As a representative of Laos Team, I heartily express our gratitude to Japanese people, JFAC, and JFA.

Soe Nyunt, Team Leader (U-15 Myanmar National Team)
We have spent a very good time without any troubles since we arrived in Japan. Thank you very much for all the arrangements such as an interpreter for us. We have found a lot of issues that we will improve on through playing against 8 teams including J. League teams during this programme. When we go back to Myanmar, we will keep working hard to brush up on our technique and tactics. As a representative of Myanmar National Team, I would like to thank JFAC and JFA for all the arrangements. I will pray for Nadeshiko Japan’s victory in the Women’s World Cup from Myanmar.

Mansouth Seth, Player (U-15 Cambodia National Team)
It was very nice to be able to write my name in Japanese in the class. It was difficult to remember the stroke order so it never went as I wanted; in fact, I felt like I was writing holding a crab leg with some ink. In Odaiba, I was just amazed by the huge robot and such a lot of people. I enjoyed food but they are pricey. Everything I saw in the shopping mall was far more expensive than that in Cambodia.

Japan-Mekong U-15 Football Exchange Programme Overview

The Japan Foundation Asia Center has arranged for each participating team, invited to Japan, to stay in Japan until 5 July after the football tournament. The young players will experience some Japanese culture, such as Japanese calligraphy in Tokyo, to deepen their understanding and to get to know the culture.
Date: Wed. 1 July to Fri. 3 July 2015
Location: J-GREEN SAKAI (145 Yawata-machi, Chikko, Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka)
More information

Participating Teams