DILI, May 4, 2021 (TATOLI) – The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MEJD), Armindo Maia, and the National Director of South Korea’s International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Timor-Leste, Eunju Cha, today celebrated a Memorandum of Understanding about a cooperation project between the two countries financed in US $ 6.5 million.
The project aims to increase the participation of children and young people in the field of sport, with an emphasis on football.
The Minister of Education, Armindo Maia, said that the support of the Government of South Korea, through KOICA, is aimed at the creation of a youth football center in Becora and the rehabilitation of the three community football fields in Bidau, Kampung Alor and other in Comoro, Dili.
“KOICA will also supply the necessary sports equipment”, said Minister Maia after the signing ceremony.
According to the official, Korea will also offer experts to train youth soccer coaches and assist the Secretariat of State, Youth and Sport (SEJD) in the preparation of a youth sports manual for under-11 football players up to 16 years old.
The South Korean Ambassador, Kim Jeong Ho, said that the project provides the essential conditions to offer a more suitable training environment for children in Timor-Leste.
“We promote physical and mental capacity to contribute to the social integration of children and young people in the country,” he said.
It is recalled that Minister Armindo Maia made, on December 21, 2020, a preliminary presentation to the Council of Ministers of this cooperation project in the area of sport, between his ministry and KOICA.
“The funds will essentially be channeled towards the construction of new infrastructures and facilities”, said Fidélis Magalhães at the time, speaking to journalists, at the Government Palace.
Journalist: Tome Amado
Editor: Francisco Simoes
