FAZ and Japan Strengthen Football Ties During High-Level Courtesy Call
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) officials hosted a courtesy call from Ichiro Aisawa, Member of the House of Representatives of Japan and Chairperson of the Japan-Africa Union Parliamentary Friendship Association, at Football House on Wednesday.
FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga welcomed Aisawa, highlighting the growing relationship between Zambia and Japan in football, particularly through women’s competitions, from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand to the 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
Kamanga expressed anticipation for further collaboration at the upcoming 2025 U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
“Beyond competition, we admire Japan’s technical excellence and advanced approach to football development. We are keen to explore partnerships in coaching exchanges, youth development and technical collaboration,” Kamanga said. “We also appreciate Japan’s embrace of senior leagues, which aligns with our Grannies initiative and programmes for differently-abled players.”
In response, Aisawa shared insights into Japan’s football ecosystem, spanning the professional J1, J2, and J3 leagues, grassroots programmes, and senior competitions, including an over-80s league with players aged up to 93.
He also highlighted Japan’s JFA Age-Group Championships for players aged 40 to 70, reflecting the nation’s culture of active ageing.
Aisawa encouraged Zambian players to explore opportunities in Japanese leagues and emphasised the importance of infrastructure development for football growth.
He pledged to engage the Japanese ambassador to Zambia to initiate discussions on possible infrastructure support and coaching exchanges, drawing on Japan’s experience in sports development, including judo.
Aisawa was accompanied by his wife, Toshie Aisawa, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Zambia, Nobue Ozawa, and Xavier Manchishi from the Embassy.
