On Wednesday morning, more than 40 children with disabilities across Da Nang had the opportunity to play football with some coaches from Japan at the Tuong lai (Future) Special School’s football pitch.

The child players were from the Tuong lai (Future) Special School, the municipal Integrated Education Development Centre, the Uoc Mo (Dream) Centre for Integrated Intervention, and the city’s Association of Agent Orange Victims.

Jointly organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Omiya Ardija Football Club in Japan, the meaningful programe aims to bring smiles to disabled children through football which is the king of sports.

Under the guidance of JICA volunteers and club members, the children learned how to control the ball skillfully and basically.

Besides, they participated in some basic football training exercises, including shooting, passing and moving the ball.

Physical activity plays a vital role in improving the physical and mental health for children with disabilities.

Child footballers became more active with the ball.

The children scored like real footballers.

A kid sharing the joy of winning with his coach

A happy smile of a child player

Mr Akimoto, leader of the Omiya Ardija Football Club, said he and his club members would visit and teach the children to play football again if they got the chance to come back Da Nang.

Mr Nguyen Duy Tuyen, Vice Principal of the Tuong lai (Future) Special School, highlighted the significance of the programme in providing a healthy, helpful and meaningful playground for the children with disabilities. In addition, through the programme, children with special needs find themselves being not so different from typically-developing ones.