The development of the youth football players continues through the JENESYS Youth Sports Exchange webinar held last Saturday 26 March 2022.
The webinar is part of the JENESYS program, in coordination with the Japan Football Association (JFA) and the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), which aims to promote mutual understanding among youth players to foster friendship and cooperation. It also allowed the youth players to reflect on their roles and significance of the sport in society and how it can affect their communities.
A total of 55 participants, from all over Southeast Asia and Japan, attended the webinar with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) nominating five youth players (aged 15-18 years old):
- Harry James Nunez – Tuloy FC/Tuloy Foundation
- Marcus Lucas Arias – Don Bosco Canlubang
- Jenny Perez – Tuloy FC/Tuloy Foundation
- Jodi Marie Banzon – Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
- Chelssy Grace Casals – Miriam College
The five youth players were also accompanied by PFF Head of Youth Development Reiji Hirata.
During the course of the webinar, the participants had an orientation with the JENESYS program followed by group session with players from other participating countries where they presented the characteristics of the national team and their footballing ambitions, a tour of J-Village, and a lecture on Football Dreams and their action plan for the future.
“We saw during the webinar how our players have set their ambitions for their footballing career,” said Hirata. “This webinar helps to enhance the players’ knowledge of football as they continue their career path.”
“Webinars such as the JENESYS Youth Sports Exchange is essential for the youth national team players to further their football development as they continue to play and appreciate the beautiful game,” added PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “We thank the Japan Football Association for inviting our youth players to attend the JENESYS Youth Sports Exchange webinar to understand how sport can benefit in the society.”