Feature

Japanese FA receive trophy at Wembley to mark 90th year

 

 

 

From left, Ambassador Keiichi Hayashi, Sir Bobby Charlton, Mr Junji Ogura, Mr David Bernstein

On 23 August 2011 The FA Chairman David Bernstein presented his Japanese counterpart, Mr Junji Ogura, with a trophy modelled on the cup originally given to them by The FA in 1919.  The event, which took place at the national stadium in Wembley, is part of a year-long celebration organised by the Japan Football Association to mark its 90th year.

 

The Japanese FA Silver Cup (the equivalent of the English FA Cup) was originally presented by the FA as a token of friendship at the request of Lord Balfour, the then-British Foreign Secretary, who hoped to promote the game in Japan*.  In 1921, the Football Association of Japan was established and the cup was used as the trophy in the first Japan National Football Championship, held in November of that year.  It was taken by the Japanese Government during World War II and disappeared.  The replica is made of sterling silver and was crafted by Thomas Lyte Ltd. 

Mr Bernstein said: “It is a great honour for me to welcome my friend Junji Ogura, President of the Japan Football Association, and his colleagues to Wembley Stadium to present him with a replica trophy of the Cup, originally given to the JFA in 1919.  Not only did the original trophy trigger the establishment of the Japan Football Association, it also began a longstanding and rewarding relationship between our two associations.  We look forward to our continued friendship with the JFA both on and off the pitch.”

 

The small ceremony at Wembley Stadium was also attended by Japanese Ambassador Keiichi Hayashi, the Rt. Hon Jeremy Hunt, MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Sir Trevor Brooking, The FA’s Director of Football Development, and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton.

 

Football has become increasingly popular in recent years in Japan.  The country co-hosted the FIFA World Cup with the Republic of Korea in 2002, has a flourishing professional league (the J-League) and its senior women’s team lifted the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany last month.

 

“The Japanese are very serious competition in every tournament these days.  They love football,” commented Sir Bobby Charlton, member of the 1966 World Cup winning England team and one of Manchester United’s most famous players.

 

Thanking Mr Bernstein for the trophy, Junji Ogura, President of the JFA, said: “I believe this Cup represents a strong bond of friendship between our two associations and will play an important role in the development of football in Japan, and I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Mr Bernstein and all the people in The FA.”

 

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

 

 

*Cortazzi, Hugh (2010). Biographical Portraits Volume VII. Kent, UK: GLOBAL ORIENTAL. ISBN 978-1-906876-26-5

 

 

 

 

 

 
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