Kids' Activities 09-2

School Team Plays World Cup Stars!!

	Kindergarten kids escort the Cameroon team before the match.

On May 27 the Cameroon World Cup team at last played a friendly match against a team of high-school students from Oita Prefecture. The Cameroonians, who were holding a training camp at the Taio Sports Center in the village of Nakatsue, were late arriving in Japan, and at one stage the match - a dream for the high-school players - was canceled.

About 1,300 people gathered at Nakatsue's number 2 soccer pitch to watch the game - almost as many as the village's whole population! When the Cameroon team arrived, the crowd gave them a warm round of applause. 68-year-old Nobue Kawara, who was wearing a hat in the colors of the Cameroon flag - red, green, and yellow - was very excited to see them. She said, "I'm happy just to see the players, but to see them play a game is simply wonderful. I will definitely cheer for Cameroon in the World Cup."

	Villagers cheer on the players during the match.

In the second half of the match, Cameroon's manager Winfried Schaefer brought himself on as a substitute and scored a great goal, bringing roars of delight from the crowd. Soccer fan Shuta Uogata, 11 years old, who goes to Kamitsue Elementary School, was amazed at the Cameroon players' skill: "Their passing is so accurate!"

The high-school team were also surprised by just how skillful the Cameroon players were. "They shoot so accurately, it's incredible. I just couldn't get across to save their shots," said goalkeeper Yusaku Shuto, a third-year student at Oita Tsurusaki High School. Actually, Shuto made several fine saves. Midfielder Keita Nakano, a third-year student at Toin High School, commented: "They run so fast, it was really tough keeping up with them." Goalkeeper Daisuke Hara, a third-year student at Hitarinko High School, was also impressed: "They have so much stamina. And they jump so high to head the ball. Wow!"

Villagers cheer on Cameroon in front of the TV.

11 students from Tsue Junior High School also took part in the game - as ball kids. Third-year student Akimichi Mae, 14, said, "I was so happy when I gave the ball to one of the players near the goal. They were really friendly." He was especiaslly happy because he got some of the players to autograph his shirt.

Jun'ichi Suetake, the manager of the Hitarinko soccer club, said: "I'm sure this will be a great experience for the students." Meanwhile, Nakatsue Village Mayor Yasumu Sakamoto had a broad smile on his face all day. He said: "This has been a dream come true, not just for the high-school students who played in the game but also for all of the children in the village. I hope one day our village will produce a professional J. League soccer player." (Nishinippon Shimbun)


Photos courtesy of Nakatsue Village.