FGC and SEISA Group have been providing continuous support and exchange activities since the Great East Japan Earthquake. As part of these efforts, we have long maintained a soccer exchange program in Fukushima Prefecture. In January 2026, we held a soccer school in Okuma Town and the annual "SEISA Okudera Cup" in Soma City.
Kids' Soccer School in Okuma Town
On Friday, January 16th, a soccer school was held for elementary school students attending after-school programs in Okuma Town, Fukushima Prefecture. We were honored to welcome Mr. Yasuhiko Okudera, a legend of Japanese soccer, as the guest instructor. A local women's team also joined us to support the event. It was a joyful reunion, as some of the participating children had previously attended our summer camp last year.
Since many of the children had little prior experience with soccer, the session began with activities to help them get comfortable with the ball, such as bouncing it with their hands while walking. The program also included dribbling and shooting practice, concluding with an exciting game where both adults and children played together.
Due to the flue season, the event was held with fewer participants than originally planned. However, the children who attended were full of energy and enjoyed playing alongside members of the local community.
"SEISA Okudera Cup" in Soma City
On the following day, Saturday, January 17th, we held our annual "SEISA Okudera Cup" at the Koyo Soccer Field in Soma City. A total of eight U-10 teams (children aged 10 and under) participated, primarily from Soma City. This year, for the first time, teams from Aizu and Koriyama joined the tournament, fostering exchange across a much broader region.
The tournament began with a round-robin league format, with teams divided into two groups, Block A and Block B, with four teams in each. This was followed by placement matches between teams with the same ranking from each block. After a series of intense matches, the team "ORQUESTA" from Koriyama - making their first-ever appearance - emerged as the champions. In addition, one MVP and three "Green Award" winners were selected; each received a certificate and a commemorative gift presented personally by Mr. Yasuhiko Okudera.
The participating children played with great energy until the very end of every match. In terms of skill, many moments showcased the rising level of today's young players. On the other hand, instructors, including Mr. Okudera, noted that children seem a bit quieter than in the past. They offered passionate advice not just on technique, but on the importance of communication, encouraging the players to "call out to each other more!"
As is typical for this event, it was a demanding schedule with many matches packed into a single day. However, thanks to the cooperation of the coaches and parents, the event proceeded smoothly without any major injuries. At the end of the tournament, a penalty shootout competition was held between representatives from each team, which the children thoroughly enjoyed.
We will continue these activities so that the children of Fukushima can grow up healthy in both mind and body, finding joy and smiles through sports. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for everyone's cooperation and support. We hope you will continue to support this project warmly in the future.