This article is part of an introduction to the policies and activities of each Prefectural Football Association divided into 12 categories: ‘Seniors’, ‘Class 1’, ‘Class 2’, ‘Class 3’, ‘Class 4’, ‘Kids’, ‘Women’, ‘Futsal’, ‘Beach Soccer’, ‘Referees Committee’, ‘Facilities Committee (Environmental Maintenance)’ and ‘Technical Committee’. We hope you read through this article and become familiar with the various activities held across the country.
This is another article on Beach Soccer activities.

*This article has been published in the ‘REGIONAL NEWS‘ section of the December issue of JFA news.

Beach Soccer Initiatives by Okinawa Football Association

- Aiming for Beach Soccer Mecca
MIYAGI Akira, Chairman of Okinawa Beach Soccer Committee

Okinawa Football Association has set up beach soccer committee for dealing with “brushing up skills”, “promotion” and “development of beach soccer facility.”

The biggest issue is that a number of game-oriented team is decreasing and it became difficult to hold even prefecture qualifier for all Japan championship. We were obliged to send team “recommended” as Okinawa representative to Kyushu qualifiers. It seems this may be because of one team is far competitive than other teams but we absolutely need to create more game-oriented teams.

Regarding promotion aspects, “Kincho Cup Beach Soccer Festival” held annually in March became quite well-recognized across Japan. In the champion class, as players equivalent to Japanese international cap and competitive teams across Japan come to the town and it is recognized as high-tier championship as competitive as the Japan Beach Soccer Championship. We see increased number of entries for the enjoy class who enjoys playing beach soccer and, team consists only by non-Japanese or women. Beach soccer is getting much popular in Okinawa with some team organize the event for enjoy playing beach soccer.

In the perspective of enhancing facility, local government has a better understanding of beach soccer after we holding all Japan championship and training camp for Beach Soccer Japan national team. They gave us various supports such as setting up permanent goal post, etc.

Having closeer corporations between the prefecture association and teams, we are going to carry out activities to become “mecca of beach soccer” by enhancing the team who is capable of winning the Japan championship, train up players who will be eligible to play Japan national team, promoting beach soccer and giving training to instructor and referees.

Okinawa is a perfect place for beach soccer where you can play all year around. Please come to Okinawa and why not enjoy playing beach soccer together.