Ex-Pro soccer player José Edmílson visits Okinawa to teach Brazilian soccer
Edmílson being greeted by applause upon arriving in Okinawa. September 20, Naha Airport.
September 21, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
Retired Pro soccer player José Edmílson Gomes de Moraes, who represented the Brazilian national team at the FIFA World Cup hosted by Japan and South Korea in 2002, landed at Naha Airport the evening of September 20, to teach at Japan’s first official Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF – Portuguese: Confederação Brasileira de Futebol) soccer camp which opened September 21 in Naha. Edmílson said he was eager to, “teach the children the philosophy of Brazilian soccer, which features a lot of creativity and improvisation.”
Around 150 fans, including some of the children who would be participating in the camp, packed into the airport to welcome Edmílson.
Akira Gushiken, president of the Okinawa Football Association welcomed Edmílson, saying, “I am pleased to bring in footballers like Edmílson as instructors, so that the children can take their soccer skills worldwide.”
Edmílson answering questions at the press conference.
After the welcome, a press conference was held at the airport.
Edmílson said to the youth players going to the camp to, “not only work hard, but also have fun,” and that he wanted to “teach them about following their dreams of becoming international footballers and the wonders of finding success there.”
The hosts of the soccer camp reached out to Ex-Kawasaki Frontale player Yoshiaki Hayashi to act as an intermediary for contacting Edmílson.
Both Hayashi and Edmílson belonged to the same club soccer team back when Hayashi was studying abroad in Brazil.
Hayashi said, “Seeing a world-class soccer player can have a major lasting impact on children.
Because Edmílson has a strong personality, I know how important sharing his experiences are.”
Edmílson is scheduled to visit the Okinawa Athletic Association and the Okinawa Football Association during the camp on September 21.
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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