The opening ceremony of the 3rd U-13 International Youth Cup Vietnam Japan 2020 was held on Friday, December 18^th morning at football field No.1 in TOKYU Garden City, Binh Duong New City.

The annual championship is where the organizers hope to promote the exchange which would strengthen the relationship between the two countries, as well as creating an occasion for the young football players in Vietnam. This year’s championship’ participation includes 8 football clubs – 7 U-13 football clubs from Vietnam and a Japanese football club KAWASAKI FRONTALE Dream Team.

The ceremony welcomes the attendance of Mr. Watanabe Nobuhiro – the Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Truc – Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and other leaders and representatives from many government departments in Binh Duong province.

From left to right: Mr. Watanabe Nobuhiro –  the Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Hasegawa Yukio, Deputy chief of the championship

During his speech at the opening ceremony, Mr. Watanabe Nobuhiro expressed his hope to further promote the exchange spirit between the Vietnam and Japan, as well as making more chances for the young football players and football lovers in Vietnam via the organizing of the U-13 International Youth Cup Vietnam Japan.

Mr. Watanabe Nobuhiro gave his speech at the opening ceremony

Throughout its 3 years, The U-13 International Youth Cup Vietnam Japan in TOKYU Garden City, Binh Duong New City has grown into an annual international sport event that attracts great enthusiasm from national and overseas supporters and organizations.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Mr. Nguyen Thanh Truc congratulated Mr. Hasegawa Yukio, representative of The U-13 International Youth Cup Vietnam Japan

Even though unfortunately the football clubs from Japan couldn’t participate in this year’s championship due to the complicated spread of Covid-19 pandemic, which prevent the championship from going on as smoothly as planned, it was still well-organized. Moreover, KAWASAKI FRONTALE still managed to bring their experts and coaches to Vietnam to select the excellent members from famous football clubs and academies in Vietnam such as Hoang Anh Gia Lai or Juventus Vietnam. After being selected, the players started to play as members of the famous football club KAWASAKI FRONTALE, under the name “KAWASAKI FRONTALE Dream team”.

Safety was strictly secured during the championship; all attendees were temperature checked and encouraged to wear their facemask

Started from the friendly football activities between KAWASAKI FRONTALE and Becamex Binh Duong back from 2013, the U-13 International Youth Cup Vietnam Japan was held for the first time in 2018 by the 2 football clubs and TOKYU Corporation, in celebration of the 45^th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan relationship and for the purpose of promoting the friendship and strengthen the bond between the two countries, as well as creating an occasion for the young football players and football lovers in Vietnam.