Asian Football Confederation (AFC) set 15 May as “AFC Grassroots Football Day” in 2013. This is a memorable day for Japan since J. League started on this date in 1993 and the JFA Declaration on Grassroots Football was announced.

AFC, with its member associations including JFA, holds events to celebrate the AFC Grassroots Football Day to promote football amongst people in many Asian countries. In Japan, there were three football festivals based in local communities in Hokkaido, Aomori, and Akita.

In Tokachi, Hokkaido, JFA Ladies Soccer Festival took place, and a total of 115 players who had different level from junior high school age to 64 years old joined in this event.

On the natural turf of Nakagawa-gun Ikeda-cho Kasen Park Soccer Field, they had a serious competition amongst each other regardless of the strong wind. The players were divided into two groups: novice group and general group. 

For the novice group, TFS Little mama which plays  various ages got the title and Obihiro Kita High School Women’s Football Club won in the general group. 

In this opportunity, a referee training was organised for participating high school team players to promote understanding about different perspectives as a referee. 

In Aomori, JFA Family Futsal Festival was held in Pia Do Hachinohe Futsal Court, in Hachinohe city. A total of 42 men and women comprised of inexperienced and experienced players from age 7 to 46 made up the futsal teams and played against each other in this event. 

Since this event was for the AFC Grassroots Football Day, all of participants from children to adult enjoyed football together not only through the competition but also through other activities. 

In Akita, another JFA Family Futsal Festival took place in Akita Yuuwa Gymnasium. 

For this event, 65 players from age 5 to 46 joined and enjoyed futsal throughout the day by having a futsal competition. 

Participants' Comments

SATO Yukino (Hokkaido, Captain of Obihiro Kita High School Women’s Football Club)
It was good that we could win the competition. This was our purpose since April and we kept working well together as a team. We could get a gift by winning. We will keep working hard to qualify for the national level competition. 

SUGIMORI Souta (Aomori, 3TDSK-U10)
It was good to play against the teams which had adult players. I was happy because I could score a goal and got some goods with a logo of “AFC Grassroots Football”.

OODATE Futaba (Aomori, Enchantee Red)
I enjoyed the event very much because I could do a lot of things together with adult players. I want to keep enjoying football.

Akita, Kyokuhoku SSS
I was happy because I could get many goods today. I could play with my dad in the games.  I ran a lot and sweat a lot after a long time. It was fun.