Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects for the Iraq Football Association
(Ceremony between President of the Japan Football Association Saburo Kawabuchi and Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukio Takeuchi)

November 20, 2003

Hand-Over Ceremony (Photo: MOFA)

1. The Government of Japan has decided to implement grant assistance for cultural grassroots projects concerning the transportation of the footballs and other football equipment donated to the Iraq Football Association by the Japan Football Association (JFA).
   
   
2. Given the above-mentioned decision, on November 20, 2003, from 4:20pm for approximately 20 minutes, a hand-over ceremony of the equipment took place between President of the Japan Football Association Saburo Kawabuchi and Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukio Takeuchi at Overseas Courier Service Co., Ltd. (the transportation company).
   
   (1) The following is an outline of the opening remarks by President Kawabuchi:
   We received many donations from football fans from all over Japan, collecting balls, spiked shoes and uniforms, etc. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to offer its cooperation in the transportation of this equipment. The JFA seeks to offer this sort of assistance for football to the greatest extent possible in the future.
   
   (Note: From all the JFA branch offices in the prefectures and municipalities of Japan a total of 1,214 footballs, 4,853 uniforms and 394 pairs of football spiked shoes were donated.)
   
   (2) The following is an outline of the statement by Vice-Minister Takeuchi:
   The people of Iraq, who currently face a severe situation, are making efforts towards the reconstruction of their country. Japan seeks to offer the maximum assistance in this endeavor. It is important that the people of Iraq hold hope and can heighten their expectations for the future, and the donation from football fans all around Japan with their hearts provide a prop for them in this regard. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has thus decided to cover the transportation costs of the donated equipment. The image comes to my mind of the people of Iraq, including the children, the youths who dream of becoming professional players, and the elderly who enjoy the game of football, kicking the donated balls around as they move forward with their hopes. Japan will continue to cooperate with Iraq in sports, including football, and other areas.
   
   
3. The Government of Japan has provided US$1 million through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in order to restore and preserve the exhibits at the National Museum of Iraq and other cultural heritage. In addition, the popular television drama Oshin that has proved popular in 59 countries around the world has been provided for broadcast on Iraqi national television (broadcasts of Oshin in Iraq started on October 27, 2003).