Tokyo (VNA) – The Consulate General of Vietnam in Fukuoka on June 16 coordinated with the Association of Vietnamese People in Fukuoka (AVF), and the Association of Vietnamese Trade and Investment Promotion Enterprises in Kyushu (VITK) launched the Vietnamese football tournament in the Kyushu region, southern Japan.
This is the first large-scale sports tournament that has been held for the Vietnamese community in the Kyushu region. It is expected to become an annual event to create a playground and promote community connection for Vietnamese people there.
The event attracted 24 Vietnamese amateur teams from localities in Kyushu and the south central region. Many Japanese amateur players also join the teams that will compete in the mini 7-player football format.
The matches are scheduled to take place on weekends in June.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the tournament on June 16, Vietnamese Consul General Vu Chi Mai affirmed that the football tournament aims to help the Vietnamese community to improve health, and strengthen solidarity.
Mai said that the success of this year's tournament will pave the way to a bigger one next year with more teams from countries in the ASEAN community in the region and local teams to be invited to join.
By the end of 2023, about 52,000 Vietnamese people were living, working and studying in Kyushu, accounting for about one tenth of the total number of Vietnamese people in Japan./.
