Respect the key phrase at Tokyo seminar

FIFA linked with the Japan Football Association over the weekend for the national governing body’s Respect F.C. symposium, which took place in Tokyo. Around 100 participants from a cross-section of Japan’s football family took part in the event, which was held one year on from the programme’s unveiling, established to compliment the annual FIFA Fair Play Day. FIFA’s Fair Play Day will take place over the coming week, having commenced with last night’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup semi-finals, featuring matches between Nigeria and USA, as well as Germany against host nation Japan. FIFA's Fair Play intiative aims to represent the positive benefits of playing by the rules, using common sense and respecting fellow players, referees, opponents and fans. The Tokyo symposium was held as a part of FIFA’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities for Japan 2012, and is part of the legacy programme for the tournament. The main concept of the symposium is respect for team-mates, equipment, referees, staff, parents, and all aspects of the game. The programme, which seeks to demonstrate its concepts through suitable role-models, such as professional players, also aims to show that values learned in football can be transferred to daily life. Toru Kamikawa, Chairman for JFA/Respect F.C. Japan Committee, was the primary host of the event, while some of the other presenters included former international player Toshiya Fujita, and international referee Sawako Yamagishi. Representing the world governing body was FIFA’s Head of Women’s Referees, Sonia Denoncourt. The former Women’s Olympic Football Tournament final referee presented on FIFA’s Fair Play Day initiative, and it’s many aspects. From : Fifa