DILI (18 Jan 2013) – Kim Sin-hwan is making a difference to football in Timor Leste. Since 2001, the former football player had arrived in Timor-Leste looking for a happier, more lucrative lifestyle that would move him past the failed marriage and business he’d left behind.
What he found instead was widespread poverty, a group of children playing street ball barefoot, and the opportunity to make a difference.
With his background in professional football, Sin-hwan began coaching a fledgling youth football team, ultimately leading his players to an astonishing victory at the 2004 Hiroshima International Youth Soccer Tournament in Japan. Kim, whose story was adapted for the 2010 film ‘Barefoot Dream’, has continued to train and inspire the country’s young football players for over a decade.
As a World Friends Korea advisor for the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and two-time recipient of Timor-Leste’s national Medal of Honor, Sin-hwan recently helped to organize Timor-Leste’s first national youth football tournament.
The jointly organized SEJD (Secretaria de Estadu do Juventede E Desportu – Secretary of State for Youth and Sports) and KOICA U-12 Football Tournament took place last year at the Dili Stadium in the East Timorese capital of Dili.
A total of six teams competed in the tournament – two from Dili and one each from the cities of Suai, Maliana, Baucau, and Lospalos. Three children who appeared in Barefoot Dreams played for the Dili teams.
“We hope that the youths who partake in this tournament will come away with improved morale and a greater sense of belonging,” said Oh Hangkyun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Timor-Leste. “By expanding such programs, we hope to contribute to better health and better physical education for the youths of Timor-Leste.”
With funding and support from KOICA, Sin-hwan started five new youth football teams in the country, all of whom have competed in international youth tournaments to great success. Sin-kwan has been active as a World Friends Korea advisor since November 2011.
“The passion that the children have for football, in spite of the less-than-favorable surroundings, inspires me to continue to help them reach their dreams,” said Sin-hwan.
By Kwon Jungyun
Source: Korea.net
