Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: Japan Football Association President Kuniya Daini announced a ‘JFA Declaration on Grassroots Football’ on Thursday, May 15, which was AFC Grassroots Day.
Daini unveiled the declaration at JFA House on grassroots football’s momentous day which coincided with the United Nations’ International Day of Families and Anniversary Day of the J-League.
“At the press conference held when I was re-elected as the President of JFA last month, I placed ‘Promotion of Grassroots Football’ as one of the five top-priority tasks the association would address,” said Daini during the occasion.
“In order to strongly promote the activities for anyone to enjoy football any time and any place, we announce ‘The JFA Declaration on Grassroots Football’ today. JFA must aggressively promote not only the top level football but also the grassroots football activities in cooperation with prefectural football associations, J-League and other football-related federations.”
Daini also pledged to continue the JFA’s efforts in grassroots football and called for cooperation from all sections of society in the worthy cause.
“Over the years, we have been committed to the U-12 youth development and coach education with the other developments of kids, junior high school, women’s football and futsal under the Captain’s Mission,” he said.
“We will continue and enhance these efforts. In addition, every aspect of every category, including sports for the disabled, will be in our picture for future development. We believe we could further contribute to the development of society as the leading organisation of sports in Japan, Asia and the world through this endeavour.
“In particular, we have launched the cross-departmental project groups in JFA and they have already started a study. The study covers from women’s football, futsal and beach soccer to football for schools, clubs and veterans and sports for the disabled.
“As well as for your continued support to the national teams, I would like to ask for your further understanding and cooperation in grassroots football promoted by JFA.”
J-League Chairman Mitsuru Murai also made an address during the event and pledged its continued support to football development.
“I am so happy to be here today to witness the announcement of the JFA Declaration on Grassroots Football,” said Murai.
“Through football, we realise that sports can bring to our lives the soundness of our bodies, the expansion of our minds and the enrichment of our societies. This is the common ideal of JFA and J-League. The declaration aims to create the environment for everyone to enjoy football. It is also the ideal of the J-League which is advocated in its ‘Hundred-Year Vision’.
“Currently, J-League has 51 member clubs in 36 prefectures. We believe that grassroots football plays the central role to create ideal football environment all over the country.
“’Anyone, any time and any place’. This order is important. Also, the sub title has ‘everyone’. It is a great message expressing the essence of football which is open for everyone. Kids, families, women, seniors and foreigners -- everyone, including you here today, can enjoy sports.
“In cooperation with JFA, J-League will continue to contribute to football development.”
Japan are one of many AFC Member Associations who are taking their own grassroots initiatives spurred by the AFC's Grassroots Year which was observed in 2013.
The AFC's focus on grassroots encourages its Member Associations to organise their own activities to promote and emphasise that football is accessible and socially beneficial to everyone and that it provides a strong foundation that will allow children to someday progress to the elite level.
JFA Declaration on Grassroots Football
Regardless of age, gender, disability or race,
football is for anyone, any time and any place.
Japan Football Association wish to share and enhance
the beauty of football and sports with more and more people.
We’ll invite everyone to feel the joy of football!
by creating variety of fantastic opportunities to meet football
We’ll make football more accessible to everyone!
by offering more and more options matching your needs and wants
We’ll make sure everyone will find real happiness in playing football!
by ensuring safe and secure environment to enjoy football
Photo: JFA