Officials from a Japanese football club, Omiya Ardija, gave training and insights on football to over a hundred youths in Thimphu yesterday. The football class is part of the Japan Week programme, which ended yesterday.
Such an event is expected to further strengthen the ties between Bhutan and Japan.
Children from six schools of Thimphu had the opportunity to interact with and learn football from the officials of Omiya Ardija Football Club. Omiya Ardija is a professional football club based in Omiya in Saitama, Japan.
“We want to spread happiness through football among the youths in the south Asian countries and not just Bhutan. I am very happy to see a lot of smiling faces here in Bhutan. Since I am a football player, I want to create memories here in Bhutan. The two countries also share a very good relationship. Even though we don’t have any specific plans or programmes, we are interested to come again if given a chance,” shares Shingo Ito, the Under-12 Coach for Omiya Ardija, Japan.
The team is in the country on a week-long visit. They also plan to visit monasteries and teach young monks football.
The programme was brought together by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA Bhutan.
Tshering Dendup
