Gary Koh
info@sleague.com
On 11 March 2011, an earthquake, measured at a magnitude of 9.0 on the Richter scale, struck at Tohuku, the east side of Honshu, and sparked a series of disasters in Japan.
Thousands have perished in the resulting tsunami off the costal town of Sendai, with the final death toll expected to reach five figures.
A chain of explosions of the nuclear plant reactors in Fukushima has raised concerns on the rise of radioactivity in the affected areas, including the capital city Tokyo.
There have been a series of massive aftershocks in various parts of Japan since the earthquake struck, which is the fourth largest recorded in human history, with a few reaching magnitudes of 7 and above.
With rescue efforts underway from local and international rescue and aid agencies in the affected areas, Japanese S.League side Albirex Niigata (Singapore) have embarked on fundraising activities to help their compatriots in need.
There will be two donation drives on Thursday’s Great Eastern-YEO’S S.League home game against defending league champions Etoile FC, with proceeds and donations gathered going to the Red Cross and the Niigata-based disaster relief non-governmental organisation Civic Force.
All ticket proceeds collected from the match will be donated to Civic Force, as well as collections from the booth set up by the club’s main sponsor Canon, where player and match photos will be sold at S$1 each.
Donation boxes will be set up at seven different locations around Jurong East Stadium – home stand, away stand, outdoor gallery, grandstand, ticket and merchandising booths and beer counter. The money collected will be delivered to the Red Cross to aid rescue and disaster relief efforts in Japan.
Albirex have been grateful to the kind words of condolences and encouragement they have received from the local football fraternity and the Singapore population.
The club are also pleased to announce that all family members of the playing and coaching staff are safe and well back home in Japan.
They have promised to deliver a good show to lift the spirits of the Singapore-based Japanese community and aid for this cause.
“I am thankful and appreciative of Singaporeans who have conveyed their concerns and condolences when I meet them,” said head coach Koichi Sugiyama.
“On behalf of the club, I hope the spectators can come and watch a good game of football and contribute to a worthy cause.
“What we can do on our part is to play well and deliver the best result we can, to bring some comfort and cheer to our compatriots who are suffering in this tragedy.
“We will try and make everyone present happy with a game and performance they will all be proud of in Singapore and Japan.”
Team captain Shimpei Sakurada believes football can be a unifying and rallying force for all to come together and bond in this time of need.
“In tournaments such as the World Cup, the game often serves as a great unifying force for all people,” he said.
“During difficult times like these, football helps to uplift the people’s moods and morale, and takes their minds away from the concerns and situations they are facing in the present.”
No comments:
Post a Comment