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Waseda University Association Football Club Volunteers in Areas Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake:
“Waseda Cup” Soccer Tournament and Soccer School

The "Waseda Cup" soccer tournament (sponsored by the Kesennuma City Football Association) was held with the participation of elementary school students over two days (June 9 and 10) in Kesennuma City in Miyagi Prefecture. This event was held with the cooperation of the Japan Football Association Special Coach and former Japanese national team captain Mr. Higashi Kato (an alumnus of Waseda University), as well as the Association Football Club and the Hirayama Ikuo Volunteer Center. The purpose of this event was to support recovery in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake through soccer.

Approximately 160 students in eight teams from Kesennuma City and the surrounding region took part in this tournament. There were teams among those that took part in this tournament who still do not have a ground to use due to the earthquake, but on just these two days, they ran around energetically using the match venue as their home ground.

Unfortunately, the weather was wet, but exciting games were played over these two days in Kesennuma Elementary School (which served as the venue for this event) under the encouragement of the volunteer university students and the parents of the children.

Furthermore, prior to the tournament a soccer school was held by the Waseda University Association Football Club. The children were nervous at first, but were soon shouting out to each other and chasing after the ball with smiles thanks to the enthusiastic guidance of the club members. There was unanimous agreement from the club members when giving guidance that "I could get energy from these children" and "I would like to contribute to areas affected by the disaster in some form or other in the future." There are expectations that they will continue to help out in the future.

Youths learn about soccer under the guidance of university students

The results of the practice were amply demonstrated in matches

A trophy was awarded to the winning team

Links

Waseda University Association Football Club

Hirayama Ikuo Volunteer Center