Vietnamese Charity Football Tournament raises funds for pagoda construction in Japan
WVR - At the Sankei Sports Center in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture (Japan), the 4th FAVIJA Charity Cup was successfully held in an atmosphere filled with sportsmanship and compassion.
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| 32 Vietnamese teams living, studying, and working in the Kanto region (Japan) registered to participate in the tournament on July 5. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
More than just a community bonding event, this year's tournament carried a sacred mission to raise funds for the construction of Dai An Tokyo Pagoda, which will become a spiritual anchor for the Vietnamese community living abroad in Japan.
The tournament was organized by the Vietnam-Japan International Exchange Organization (FAVIJA), under the patronage of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan and the Saitama City administration.
32 teams were selected from nearly 50 Vietnamese teams living, studying, and working in the Kanto region (Japan) who registered to participate.
The teams were divided into 8 groups, competing in a round-robin format simultaneously on 4 fields. The top 2 teams from each group will advance to the finals, scheduled for July 26.
Attending and supporting the opening ceremony, Ms. Do Tu Hien, Counselor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, stated that the Embassy highly appreciates the significance of the tournament.
Not only does it provide a healthy and beneficial playground, contributing to physical fitness for work and study, but the tournament also helps build the image of dynamic, united, and friendly Vietnamese people in the eyes of the local residents. It serves as a bond of solidarity among compatriots, aiming towards noble values.
At the main stage of the opening ceremony, the organizers also placed a donation box for players, teams, supporters, and spectators to contribute to the temple construction fund.
Mr. Pham Tuan Anh, Director of J-Connect Telecommunications Network Company, stated: “As a Vietnamese business operating in Japan, besides supporting community movements, participating in the temple construction fund is also part of the company's responsibility towards social activities.”
At the tournament venue, Saitama Prefecture Police officers also set up a booth to disseminate information, distributing leaflets to raise awareness about Japanese laws and introducing new policy changes related to foreigners living in Japan.
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| The competitive atmosphere among the players. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
In the rare cool weather of summer, hundreds of supporters, including Vietnamese expatriates and local residents, came to cheer.
Nun Thich Tam Tri, President of the Vietnamese Buddhist Association in Japan and abbot of Dai An Tokyo Pagoda, along with other Buddhists, personally distributed free vegetarian food prepared by the temple to all players and supporters.
Moved by the affection of the expatriates for the temple construction project, Nun Thich Tam Tri expressed: “I extend my deepest gratitude to the FAVIJA members who have wholeheartedly connected and organized such a meaningful tournament. This is also the fourth time the tournament has been organized to raise funds for the temple since the Dai An Tokyo Pagoda construction plan was initiated.
At the same time, I am grateful for the golden hearts of all the players and supporters who have given their all on the field, joining hands towards Dai An Tokyo Pagoda. Every drop of sweat, every heartfelt contribution is a brick helping to build a more spacious and solid common home.”
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| Delegates attending the tournament take commemorative photos. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Mr. Do Quang Ba, President of FAVIJA, stated that all funds raised at the football field from players, supporters, and contributions from benefactors will be transparently disclosed and directly handed over to the temple at the closing ceremony and award presentation on July 26.
(Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Japan)
