LaLiga takes root in Japan

As another demonstration of Japanese hospitality, the Government of the Saga Prefecture, which is hosting Atlético de Madrid and organising the LaLiga World match with Sagan Tosu, wanted to make a public show of gratitude to the Spanish touring party in an official reception at their own premises.

Various players from the ‘Madrileño’ squad, amongst them Juanfran Torres and Luciano Vietto, as well as Clemente Villaverde, Atlético de Madrid Director; Nacho Martínez Trujillo, Director of Strategic Projects for LaLiga; and María de Coriseo González-Izquierdo, the Commercial and Economic Director for Spain in Tokyo; have been welcomed by Yoshinori Yamaguchi, Governor of the Saga province in a moving event which has shown the excellent relationships between the different parties and the desire to work together for a future of common understanding, with football as the binding element. “It’s an honour to have you here in the province. It’s a dream to be able to enjoy a massive team, one of the star teams of the Spanish LaLiga”, said the Japanese Governor, welcoming the participants of the LFP World Challenge Tour.

As further proof of these good intentions for future cooperation, LaLiga has officially invited the Saga Prefecture to take part in LaLiga Promises, the International Tournament for U12s teams organised by LaLiga and 'El Larguero' Foundation, which celebrated its latest edition in Barranquilla (Colombia). “We officially invite you to participate in the next edition or the one after that. We want you to be with us in this tournament”, said Ignacio Martínez Trujillo moments before presenting the representative of Saga with a plaque to show appreciation for the opportunity of open collaboration between both countries.

Atlético de Madrid also wanted to show their gratitude for the welcome they have been shown. “We’re far away from our country but we feel at home here”, explained Clemente Villaverde. “We’re interested in carrying on collaborating in the future”. As official representative of the Spanish Government, María del Coriseo also expressed her satisfaction at the visit of a LaLiga club to Japan. “These are two countries with many years of good relationships. With the success of football in Japan, Spain has become much better known in this county”, she explained.

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