September 28 – Top Japanese footballer Yuki Abe was put on the spot by youngsters when he visited the award-winning ‘Musubi’ project at Loughborough University.
Abe, who played in all four of his country’s World Cup games in South Africa and recently signed for Leicester City, took part in a penalty shoot-out with pupils from Brookvale High School in Groby.
The midfielder also held a question-and-answer session in Japanese to help pupils practise their language skills.
Leicester City Commercial Director Paul Hunt said: “The club is always keen to develop new initiatives with organisations, engage with the local community and to assist with the development of its players.
“The link to the Musubi events with Yuki delivers the perfect opportunity to do all three.
“We look forward to developing this further over the coming months.”
Chris Earle, Director of Sport at Loughborough University, said he hoped students attending the Musubi day “are inspired by our facilities and by meeting World Cup footballer Yuki Abe”.
The Musubi project is a collaboration between Japanese language students from South Wolds School in Nottinghamshire, Loughborough University, and East Midlands Development Agency.
The project has received the London 2012 Inspire mark and a prestigious European Award for Languages 2010.
The awards demonstrate the impact of Musubi in contributing to the growing relationship between Japan and the University, Loughborough and the wider East Midlands region.