A gesture of solidarity with Kumamoto

On 14, 15 and 16 April the ground violently opened in Kumamoto and the city was reduced to rubble. The tremors lasted three days and at one point registered 7.3 on the Richter scale, leaving 41 dead and thousands injured. The city in the south of the country was devastated, with more than 69,000 people evacuated and 160,000 homes without electricity.

Now, one month later, with Kumamoto and the surrounding province of Kyushu struggling to come to terms with the destruction caused by the earthquakes, FCBEscola Fukuoka is determined to do it what it can to help those affected. On 20 May there will be a charity match between FCBEscola and Blaze Kumamoto U12 with the aim of coming to the aid of those touched by the disaster and of raising the spirits of the youngsters living in the area.

Xavier Mondelo, Local Project Director at the FCBEscola Fukuoka, has been working hard on the details in the last few days. Two games will be played simultaneously at the Kasuga Park in Kasuga City so that all the children from Blaze Kumamoto can take part. Before the game, the students at FCBEscola Fukuoka will present a signed shirt with messages of support to the Blaze Kumamoto U12 players who are still unable to use their own pitch following the earthquake on 14 April. Both teams will observe a minute’s silence whilst images of support for the victims will be shown on the video scoreboard as well as the FC Barcelona slogan ‘Més que un Club’.

The friendly game against Blaze Kumamoto U12s is the first in a series of events that will be organised by the FCBEscola Fukuoka in support of those affected by the Kumamoto earthquake. On 6 and 7 August there will be a Campus for the 336 children in Primary Education in Years 1 to 6 that reside in the city. On 6 August it will take place at the Ozumachi Sports Park and on 7 August at Yamaga-shi Culture Sports Centre. The campus is free and its aim is to help encourage and energise the children following the tragedy that they have been through.