The 15th All Japan Seniors (over 60s) Football Tournament and the Senior (over 70s) Football Festival will be held in Yubari, Hokkaido on Saturday 30 May.

These tournaments aim at promoting football among the older generation and encouraging people to play football as a lifelong sport. Many excellent players have participated in these championships. In the previous championship, in which Tokyo squads (Lazos27) claimed the title, former Japan international midfielder FUJIGUCHI Mitsunori played for Hiroshima squad 60. He told us the charms of the senior football prior to the opening match of the coming tournament.

―― Why did you start playing senior soccer?

FUJIGUCHI: When I was involved in the management of Urawa Red Diamonds and J.League a dozen years ago, I didn’t have much time to exercise. I had more opportunities to have meals with fans or people from the media. One day my daughter asked me, pointing her finger at my belly, ‘what is that?’ Although I argued back, I knew I had to do something. So I decided to streamline my body once again.

―― Did you know there was senior football back then?

FUJIGUCHI: Of course. Having said that, as I have once played for the country, I had too much pride. I got so irritated when I couldn’t do what I used to be able to. I struggled a bit when I started playing football again. I could neither kick the ball nor run properly. I felt like it took me an hour to transfer the mental image of what I wanted to do into the actual game.

―― How did you overcome that problem?

FUJIGUCHI: Although I didn’t like it, I started individual practice, muscle training and running. Then I started to be able run again. When I played for the country, what mattered most of all was winning games. However, I realised how fun it was to play football through the matches and found new joy. What pleased me most was that I could break down the fixed idea of an old generation with less muscle power that couldn’t improve their skills any more. If you try hard, you can improve yourself as much as you try.

―― Tell me about ‘the 14th All Japan Seniors (over 60s) Football Tournament’ you took part in last year?

FUJIGUCHI: I saw my old teammates for the first time after several decades. I realised again how much I liked football. As I couldn’t get myself into great shape, I struggled a bit. However, I was really pleased that we played on an excellent pitch.

I hope everyone, who will participate in this coming tournament, will enjoy kicking the ball on a real turf pitch. At the same time, I hope that people will be inspired by watching the matches involving player over 70-year old in the Senior (over 70s) Football Festival, wondering whether or not you can play in the same way after 10 years. If you want to, you can still improve yourself anytime.

The 15th All Japan Seniors (over 60s) Football Tournament

Date: Sat. 30 May - Mon. 1 June 2015
Venue: Sun-Green Sport Village (Yubari Heiwa Sport Park)
More information (Japanese version only)

The 15th All Japan Seniors (over 70s) Football Tournament

Date: Sat. 30 May - Mon. 1 June 2015
Venue: Sun-Green Sport Village (Yubari Heiwa Sport Park)
More information (Japanese version only)