[For Elementary School Students in Grades 1–6] FC Tokyo × Borussia Dortmund School Exchange Match Held!
On July 31 (Fri), we held the "FC Tokyo × Borussia Dortmund School Exchange Match."
This exchange match was held to commemorate the international friendly between FC Tokyo and Borussia Dortmund on August 1 (Sat), providing a valuable opportunity for students from both clubs' schools to deepen their connections through soccer.
On the day, a total of 112 participants took part: 59 FC Tokyo School students and 53 Borussia Dortmund School students, ranging from first to sixth grade. Wearing their clubs' emblems on their chests, the children gave their all on the pitch in fiercely contested matches.
Highlights of the Exchange Match
During the exchange matches, the children gave their all for every ball and played without giving up until the final whistle. Even in the fiercely contested games, they applauded each other’s good plays, and afterward, they exchanged handshakes and words with smiles, creating natural connections through soccer.
Overcoming differences in language and culture, the children chased the ball on the same pitch, drawing great inspiration from one another’s play and impressively growing through friendly competition. They respected each other and spent an irreplaceable time enjoying encounters with new teammates.
Please note that, due to lightning toward the end of the event, the safety of participants was given top priority and the final match was canceled.
Meet-and-Greet and Autograph Session with Legendary Players
Following the exchange matches, a meet-and-greet and autograph session was held with legend players from both clubs.
The event was initially planned to take place on the field, but due to lightning, the venue was moved to the covered area beneath the stands.
Chinami Watanabe joined from FC Tokyo and Park Joo-ho from Borussia Dortmund, taking the time to speak kindly with each participant as they signed autographs and posed for photos.
The venue was filled with a warm atmosphere throughout, and the children enjoyed a special time full of smiles through their interactions with the legendary players they admire.
Finally, all participants gathered for a group photo, bringing the exchange match to a close.
Although we were unable to carry out all of the planned programs due to lightning, it was a highly meaningful day, filled with the children's smiles and active interaction among the players, staff, and legendary players of both clubs.
Through this exchange match, the children were able to experience not only the joy of soccer, but also the wonderful feeling of connecting with others beyond differences in nationality and language.
FC Tokyo will continue to support children’s growth through soccer and futsal while creating opportunities for meaningful encounters and learning.
Thank you to everyone who participated!