The First Ever Peace Pitch in Japan

FOOTBALL FOR ALL

(Left to right) Ventforet Kofu F.C. Kiyoshi Amemiya (Chairman), Makoto Amemiya (Nikken, President) and Satoru Sakuma (CEO)

Mr Kiyoshi Amemiya addresses the auidience and outlines the importance of Ventforet Kofu F.C’s Peace Pitch.

Mr Amemiya is the gentleman behind the first ever peace pitch in Japan. He is also the inventor of the a heavy duty vehicle that clears minefields Vietnam, Angola, Thailand, Columbia, Afghanistan and Nicoragua. He has dedicated his life to the humanitarin mission. His strong desire to provide a safer environment for people living near minefields, and his comprehensive approach to meet local needs. Sustained by a mainstream business, his company developed breakthrough technologies that drastically increased the speed and the safety of those who clear landmines, and the quality of livelihood of the residents in the affected regions.

Ventforet Kofu F.C. Peace Field Project twinning event exhibited landmines and photos of minefields from around the world. The connection between Chairman Mr Amemiya’s work and the Peace Field Project is clear. Where once there was death and horror, we all have a duty to replinish the land for communities to once again thrive, prosper and play.

‘I have seen lots of devastation in the world. The Peace Field Project is a living legacy for all members of our community to enjoy playing games on our peace pitch in safety. Ventforet Kofu F.C. look forward to extending the Peace Field Project across Japan and Asia. Mr Kiyoshi Amemiya (Chairman)

Over 500 children, families and friends, attended Ventforet Kofu F.C’s Peace Field Project Peace Pitch twinning event.

‘The Peace Field Project connects with our community’s spirit for peace education through play. We are proud to have the first peace pitch in Japan twinned with Flanders Peace Pitch. Ventforet Kofu F.C. look forward to celebrating peace on International Day of Peace. We are already discusssing ideas on how the event will look’. Mr Satoru Sakuma (CEO)

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GREEN SPORTS ALLIANCE  are  The Green Sports Alliance, Japan focuses on grass roots projects and activities. 3 core values to visualize through the power of sports is (1) Environment designed between Nature and Society, (2) Bio (lives) connecting among Human Beings, Nature, and Society, (3) Peace.

For immediate release (CLICK HERE for PDF)

Football Makes Our Shared History researchers deliver evidence to Stormont    

TWO thousand Football Makes Our Shared History (FMOSH) participants will be represented by their teammates, 100 young project researchers from respective schools and community groups across Northern Ireland, when they hand deliver a peace letter to Stormont, 12pm, Monday 3^rd April. 

Project organisers The Children’s Football Alliance (CFA) brought together the Irish Football Association, Gaelic Athletic Association, Ulster Rugby, Ulster Hockey, Peace Players and many more children’s sports to celebrate our shared history. 

Awarded a £67,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the initiative culminated in an exhibition of children’s research.

Peace pitches have also been created by twinning designated areas of play with Flanders Peace Field in Belgium, site of the First World War Christmas Truces in 1914. There are currently 16 peace pitches in Northern Ireland and many more across the world.   

After presenting evidence at the FMOSH debate, facilitated at Queen’s University, Belfast on November 17 2022, the researchers collectively asserted that play is undoubtedly the best way to celebrate peace. 

FMOSH’s Ambassadors for Peace have unanimously decided to hand deliver a letter to all parties at Stormont on Monday, April 3.

The letter asks MLAs to ensure that all sports authorities come together to promote and celebrate peace through play in all schools on every anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement on April 10 and the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, September 21.

Signed on behalf of all the children of Northern Ireland, the letter reads: “We demand to celebrate peace through play and ask all parents, teachers, sports coaches and our governments, to endorse the power of play. We deserve lasting peace.”   

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information about Football Makes Our Shared History and to arrange media interviews, contact CFA founder and chief executive Ernie Brennan on 07813 082584 or email erniebrennan@thecfa.co.uk

Alternatively, call Teresa Green at Chris Green Media on 01905 754336 or email teresa@chrisgreenmedia.co.uk

The Children’s Football Alliance was established in 2008 to enhance children’s development through play. The CFA seek to protect childhood through play.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund inspires, leads and resources the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. Visit www.HeritageFund.org.uk

Since The National Lottery began in 1994, National Lottery players have raised over £43 billion for projects and more than 635,000 grants have been awarded across the UK. Follow @HeritageFundNI on Twitter and @HeritageFundNorthernIreland on Facebook.

‘Green Fields School are proud to be the first school in New Delhi to twin our Peace Pitch with Flanders Peace Field. The school value the freedom to play. Our children enjoy many games and the Peace Field Project allows our teachers to blend different subjects with our Peace Pitch. On behalf of all the children and staff, Green Fields School would like to thank The Wheeling Happiness Foundation, Swayam Foundation, The Commonwealth Chambers of Commerce and The Children’s Football Alliance, for making this day a very special day. Really grateful to all of you’ Mrs Mini Khanna, Principal, Green Fields School.

‘I enjoyed playing with news teams and I think we should do this more in the name of peace.’

‘I know could play better but I just love to play’

‘My friends watched me score goals and it felt good’

‘Green Fields School have hosted a great event here in Delhi. The games were fun; boys and girls played in the spirit of the Peace Field Project. We all made friends here today. Sport brings communities together and that can never be over-looked.’ Prithvi Jagan, ICFA volunteer soccer coach.

‘I know from my experience the value of sport for all. The Peace Field Project is a perfect opportunity to bring fun learning through play. Celebrating peace brings us together. This is a historic moment as the first ever peace pitch in Delhi not only encourages children to learn the values of peace through play, it also honours the Indian martyrs of WW1. Wheeling Happiness has always believed in the power of sport for development, inclusion and integration and the Foundation is proud to have the opportunity to co-organise this historic event in India.’ Devika Malik, Co-founder Wheeling Happiness Foundation.

‘Thank you everyone for this opportunity for the kids from Swayam Foundation, you have touched so many lives by this activity, my sincere gratitude to each one of you especially the children of Green Fields School, Mrs Mini Khanna (Principal) and her wonderful team. Devika and Wheeling Happiness Foundation for being partners from day 1, Prithvi and Hari for supporting from start to end and off course the CFA for the concept and believing in us that this will happen inspite of all the odds we faced’ Geeta Arora, Founder, The Swayam Foundation.

‘A feast and priviledge for our soul to see peace building efforts through sports and children being the epicentre of it. As an educationalist with many years experience working towards youth and women empowerment, I look forward to promoting the Peace Fields Project and championing Green Fields School, as a beacon project that brought communities together and made new friends for life’, Hari Om Dahiya, Commonwealth Chambers of Commerce.

PRESS RELEASE

The First Ever Peace Pitch in New Delhi.  FRIDAY 3^RD MARCH 2023

Press release
For immediate release

Green Fields School, New Delhi, will twin their designated area of play with Flanders Peace Field, Mesen, Belgium, site of the First World War, 1914, Christmas Truces.  ORGANISERS, The Children’s Football Alliance, Wheeling Happiness Foundation, Swayam and The Royal Commonwealth Society, have come together to support Green Fields School’s Peace Field Project and celebrate peace through play and twin their peace pitch with the historic Flanders Peace Field. 

India sent 1.5 million soldiers to fight in the First World War.  At the war’s end, India had suffered more than 120,000 total casualties – men killed, wounded, or missing.

The International Peace Fields Project currently has 63 peace pitches in 5 continents.  The peace pitches promote friendship for all.

The CFA are the custodians of the International Children’s Football Alliance.  Their mission statement: Protect Childhood Through Play. 

Ernie Brennan, CEO, CFA said, “The Peace Fields Project is all about the essence of play. All children play without prejudice.  When Allied and German soldiers stood up to shake hands, exchange gifts and play games on Christmas Day, 1914, the humanitarian act served to remind mankind that childhood is a time we all revert back too, for love, peace and happiness.” 

Devika Malik, Wheeling Happiness Foundation, said, “This is a historic moment as the first ever peace pitch in india not only encourages children to learn the values of peace through play, it will also honour the Indian martyrs of WW1. Wheeling Happiness has always believed in the power of sport for development, inclusion and the foundation is proud to have the opportunity to co-organize this historic event in India”

Dr Geeta Rani Arora of Swayam Foundation said, It has been well organized with a perfect rhythm. The twinning of peace pitch was brought out in true sense as kids from different schools came to play together and not against each other and enjoying each moment from preparation. game activity to food. This showed how a simple game of football can shed so many hesitations we carry. Thank you Green Field School, CFA , Wheeling Happiness, RCA and Prithvi Jagan.

Hari Om Dahiya, Royal Commonwealth Society, said, “A feast and privilege for our soul to see peace building efforts through sports and children being the epicenter of it”.

Prithvi Jagan, ICFA, Project Manager, said, The event was an opportune moment to highlight peace and football’s impact to promote peace. The children were joyous and committed to playing the matches we had lined up for the day and enjoyed their time on the field.

The twinned peace pitch will leave a lasting reminder about their role in upholding the values and protecting the safe area of play that they have.

Notes to editors

For more details, contact The CFA:  Ernie Brennan on +00 44 (0)7813 082584 or email erniebrennan@thecfa.co.uk Alternatively, call Paul Cooper on +00 44 07875 283093 or email paulcooper@thecfa.co.uk 

The Children’s Football Alliance was established in 2008 to protect childhood through play.

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Green Fields School was founded on 16th August 1967, by the Great Visionary and Educationist Sh. R.C Khanna.

The vision, mission and the able leadership of Chairman Sir took the school to great heights. He strongly believed that education is the basis of all progress in society.

The Present Green Campus, Academic and Sports facilities bear testimony to his selfless service and dedication. The values established by him will be taken forward and imparted to the young generations of today.

Wheeling Happiness are one of the key partners driving the First Ever Peace Field Project in New Delhi. Learning is finding out what you already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it
Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you do.

Their mission is to create an inclusive & barrier-free society and empower people with disabilities, women and economically under-served communities.

The Wheeling Happiness Foundation is the proverbial first step of a thousand-mile journey. A beginning that promises a million new beginnings for those who feel they have reached a dead-end in their lives due to some disability. A brain-child of Co-Founders Dr.(h.c.) Deepa Malik and Devika Malik.

The NEW DELHI Peace Field Project (PFP) received a boost today when Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club from the English Premier League donated kits to the kids that will be taking part in the PFP Delhi event. The kits were donated through our one of our sponsors Starlizard Integrity Services. These kids are participants of  Swayam Foundation event of Jan 2020  which was a sports event with Football and Athletics.

Dr Geeta Arora, PFP, Project Manager, Trustee – Swayam Foundation, Founder – Heal with Homeopathy shared , “The kids were elated today to receive the kits. They are from underprivileged background and were delighted to feel special in their new football attire. The first soccer event was quickly followed by them asking us “when will you hold the next event as we practice every day.”

Prithvi Jagan, PFP Manager, and football coach said, ‘This is wonderful news for the children.  Soccer is very popular in New Delhi with more and more mixed ability boys and girls playing wherever they can find an area to play’.

Green Fields School was founded on 16th August 1967, by the Great Visionary and Educationist Sh. R.C Khanna.

The vision, mission and the able leadership of Chairman Sir took the school to great heights. He strongly believed that education is the basis of all progress in society.