The Japan Football League (JSL) held a ‘50th anniversary party’ to celebrate 50 years of history and to appreciate the founders.

Approximately 700 people, including players, coaches, referees, and media, who have supported the JSL from the beginning, came from around the country to join the party. Many who enjoyed ‘JSL’s big reunion’, were eager to hold the another one.

Comments

OKUDERA Yasuhiko (Furukawa)
I tend to see some of my old teammates from Furukawa club team once or twice a year. At the party there were so many that I haven’t seen for several decades and we enjoyed reminiscing. When I heard of this party, I wasn't sure what kind event it’d be, and I felt slightly nervous.

However, on the day, I saw so many people coming and there was a good atmosphere around. I think it was a really good event. I could see some people with whom I had lost contact for a while, and exchanged details to arrange meeting up again. I hope the younger generation will join this kind of event in the future.

SUGIYAMA Ryuichi (Mitsubishi)
I was really surprised that approximately 700 JSL mates came to the party from around the country. At the same time, I was in shock, realising that half a century has passed so quickly, which means we aged 50 years! The two-hour party flew by so quickly, as I was catching up with people that I saw for the first time in years. 

It wasn’t long enough, and I could have spent much longer at the party. To be honest, I was not sure whether or not to join the party. However, one of my colleagues told that he’d go with me, and I decided to go along, as I was in a good condition as well. I really enjoyed myself meeting with many of my old friends in this first and last reunion. Some told me that I was still in good shape!

There are only a few that are older than me and still healthy. There are also some, who are younger than me, that have already passed away. It was sad that I couldn’t see them. Although there were only a few players left, who had played in the Olympics in Tokyo or Mexico, we encouraged each other to ‘stay healthy until the 2020 Olympic in Tokyo’. The fact that the Olympics will come back to Tokyo, where we ourselves experienced some matches, gives us a lot of encouragement.