Young Female Footballers Join Coaching Clinic with Japanese Legends

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A total of 74 female footballers aged 10 to 13 had the opportunity to participate in a coaching clinic with two Japanese women’s football legends, Mana Iwabuchi and Aya Miyama.

The coaching clinic, titled “MilkLife Soccer Challenge with Pokemon,” was held at KingKong Arena, Cijantung, East Jakarta, on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

The participants came from Jakarta, Tangerang, and Bekasi. They are part of the MilkLife Soccer Extra Training program, which is preparing them to compete in next year’s MilkLife Soccer Challenge (MLSC) All-Stars.

During the event, the players received training in technical skills and physical coordination. They also had the opportunity to train and play alongside Iwabuchi and Miyama, former members of Japan’s women’s national football team that won the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

MLSC Program Director Teddy Tjahjono said the coaching clinic was part of efforts to develop female footballers from an early age.

He said the presence of Iwabuchi and Miyama was expected to give young players an insight into the journey toward achieving success at the international level. Their careers also demonstrate the importance of consistency in pursuing football from a young age.

“We invited Aya Miyama and Mana Iwabuchi as role models. Through their presence, we want to provide real evidence that the football activities they pursued from a young age could lead to extraordinary achievements when they became adults,” Teddy said in his remarks.

Meanwhile, Corporate Officer of The Pokemon Company Susumu Fukunaga said Pokemon’s involvement in the event was aimed at creating a fun and inclusive sports experience for participants.

He said that the participants not only gained the experience of playing football alongside the two Japanese legends but also had the opportunity to learn from their journeys in sports. “I really hope to see all of you perform and achieve success on the world stage,” he said.

President Director of Djarum Foundation Victor Rachmat Hartono also expressed his appreciation to the parties supporting the coaching clinic. The event was part of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Series 1 for the 2026-2027 season. (Diffa Sephiawardhani)