Show you care, say Nakata and FAS

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by Ian De Cotta

Mar 28, 2011

SINGAPORE - As Japan struggle with their rescue and rebuilding efforts following the magnitude 9 earthquake and tsumani on March 11, one of the country's biggest sports stars, Hidetoshi Nakata, and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) are teaming up to raise funds for the victims.

Two events under the "S-League Cares, Take Action with Albirex Niigata project" have been scheduled: A gala dinner with Nakata, who played for Japan in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Fifa World Cups, at Resorts World Sentosa on Thursday, and a charity match on Saturday at Jalan Besar Stadium.

The ex-Japanese striker will turn out for Albirex Niigata against an S-League All Stars side.

"Everybody knows the disaster in Japan is very big," the 34-year-old said at a press conference at Resorts World yesterday. "We are trying to manage things by ourselves, but this time we need help from other countries.

"The victims need to feel that other people care for them."

Nakata spent most of his career playing in the Italian Serie A, and a season with Premiership club Bolton before retiring in 2006.

Nakata was in Hong Kong attending a charity gala when the disaster struck his homeland, and as the tragedy unfolded, he appealed for support for his fellow countrymen.

Singapore is the first to organise a charity match and it will be the first time he will be using his footballing talent for such a cause.

"I came here immediately because Singapore organised these two events at such short notice. It is incredible and very meaningful for the relationship between Japan and Singapore."

S-League clubs Albirex, Home United, Courts Young Lions and Etoile FC were among the first here to donate proceeds from their matches.

This is the first time the FAS are involved raising funds for a cause outside the Republic.

Said FAS president Zainudin Nordin: "We told Albirex it was painful to watch what was happening in Japan and we needed to do something to help the victims there. We have had a short period to get things together, but we want to help our friends and got things going as fast as we could." Ian De Cotta