The Japanese Embassy in Nigeria on Saturday donated sets of jerseys to National League One (NLO) side, Iganmu Tiger FC, in a move targeting at strengthening intercultural ties between Japan/Nigeria and promoting grassroots football development.
The donation, made at the club’s house in Iganmu, was presented by the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Hideo Suzuki who explained that the gesture reflects Japan’s commitment to supporting young football talents and helping them reach their full potential in the sport.
“We’re donating these jerseys today as part of our embassy’s plan to help not only the club but also to build intercultural relationships between the two countries as well as contribute to grassroots football development in Nigeria,” Suzuki said.
The envoy noted that while the jerseys are meant for younger players, he hoped they would be valuable to the team’s rising stars.
He further expressed optimism that more Nigerians would feature in Japan’s J-League, describing it as a platform rich with opportunities for players to showcase their talents.
“I’m happy that some players of the club are presently playing in the J-League, and I look forward to seeing more of them play in Japan as that will enable them garner more exposure in football,” he added.
Receiving the kits, the club’s Assistant Coach, Abayomi Ekundina, thanked the Embassy for the support, assuring that the jerseys would be put to good use.
He described the relationship between the club and the embassy as cordial and mutually beneficial.
