Japanese Women’s Football Comes To Qatar
Junko Mori, Qatar
My name is Junko Mori and I am the captain of Sakura FC in Qatar. I played for Kitagoyo SC back in Kobe, Japan when I was 6-12 years old. At that time, my mother started a mother’s football club called WING and she played football until she passed away this January. WING was made up of the mothers of children belonging to Kitagoyo SC and the team is still running in Kobe. Unfortunately it seems the girls’ team has currently closed down due to the small numbers. My older sister also played football as well. So, I could say that we were a family of football.
I have not played football since childhood until now. However, last February, the Japanese Society in Doha called me to ask if I was interested in joining a Supreme Committee tournament that would be held in November. I called all the ladies to find players. And Sakura FC was created with 13 ladies and 3 coaches. I felt like such a coincidence as if it was guided by my beloved mother’s will. When my mother had set up the mother’s team, she was the same age as I am right now. Now we play every Friday and aim for victory at the tournament with great passion.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
Team members from Sakura FC are on beaches and parks in Qatar. Ladies living in Qatar make up Sakura FC. We practice at Aspire, at the Japan School of Doha, and sometimes in the park like here. Most of them (except me) have never played football before. However, we are quite serious about football and have been aiming for victory at the tournament arranged by the Supreme Committee in November.
All the ladies and coaches have very beautiful energy. That’s why I took photos of them. They show the love and passion of football. Football is borderless and unifying.
Are there any good stories connected with the people or teams you photographed?
I am now very happy that I have been playing with Sakura FC. This team was created through a lot of effort from Japanese people living in Doha, far away from their home country. We have 13 very energetic and passionate ladies. We have three very devoted and helpful coaches (Mr Mori, Mr Furukawa, Mr Suzuki).
It always requires a lot of effort when you start a new thing from scratch. Some people join and some go. It is not an easy thing to attend practice every week, as we are all adults - mums with small babies, working as professionals, one is very busy with the current Qatari project.
That’s why I feel it is kind of a miracle that 13 members and three coaches have been supporting Sakura FC and actually running it well. I feel Sakura FC has been growing up and will be a team that will be loved for a long period in Qatar. Sakura FC will be giving a lot of powerful energy to the ladies who will join from now on. I am pretty sure about that. Many people support this community away from our home country of Japan. Sakura FC is so powerful and energetic.
What changes are happening in Qatari football culture?
I have met Qatari girls at GO Sport buying football items. Football has been getting very popular, no matter the gender, nationality, cultural background, or age.
What is the most surprising or interesting part of Qatari football culture?
The country’s seriousness toward World Cup 2022 is impressive and surprising. The investment and the architecture of stadiums, airports, hotels and subway to host all the football fans from all over the world is overwhelming. Football is everything in Qatar. All construction projects in Qatar are now related to World Cup 2022.
Qatari women’s players are quite good too. That is surprising, as they look like princesses in their traditional clothes.
What is your favourite photo? Why?
When I was at the beach, Qatari kids and their maid were playing. I could not help myself to jump in and play. With one ball, we could be a team.
What are the opportunities for female footballers in Qatar?
I now play in the several teams. There are so many great players. I believe they should encourage Qatari girls to play more. They have great potential. In June I joined a Supreme Committee football event. During the event, I played with and against many Qatari Ladies (I believe they were from Qatar University). I have been in Qatar for more than 10 years but never expected Qatari ladies could be so active. They usually behave like princesses with traditional clothes on - or is that only my impression?
Unfortunately, they are not able to play under the eyes of gentlemen. If there were an opportunity for them to show how they play, of course people around world would be surprised. When I was talking with Qatari girls and ladies, it seemed like they all started playing after Qatar won the hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022 back in 2011. The FIFA World Cup 2022 is clearly influencing Qatari society a lot.
Why is football so important for your community?
Football is very popular among the Japanese community. We have a very good professional team in Japan and for sure they will be competing in World Cup 2022. Football releases a lot of energy and can be a great opportunity to make friendships in the community.
What will be the biggest impact of the World Cup in 2022?
It will show that how Qatar is serious about football and will bring more sports events here in the future. The future is promising.
