To start the project, Kitaguchi Haruki went to kindergartens in Ho Chi Minh City’s outskirts to teach football free of charge. Then he opened classes where parents register for their children and pay fees. So far, he has organised 13 classes of 365 students in the inner city and the suburbs. The project also attracts a large number of Japanese volunteers who assist Kitaguchi Haruki in teaching.
The most interesting part of the training method practiced by coach Haruki is the approach to help kids become aware of discipline, self-reliance and to have proper behavior towards adults and the community. Through his lessons, children learn to say hello or goodbye loudly; to be patient ; not to fight over something; to stand in line to wait for their turn; to stand up on their own after falling down without crying or waiting for help from others.
Coach Kitaguchi Haruki has worked for six years at Amitie SC, a Japanese football club. Children listen in concentration to Japanese volunteers’ lectures of football’s techniques. Japanese volunteers assist Kitaguchi in teaching. Both the coach and children are utterly dedicated to practicing lesson. He also teaches the children not to fight over something; to stand in line to wait for their turn. |
According to the young coach, football is a team sport, so it requires working together. Through teaching football, he wants to help the children develop their dignity and become good people who always care about others and the community