Pilgrims set to welcome Japanese kids

PLYMOUTH Argyle's new multi- national board of directors confirmed on Thursday that the Pilgrims are willing and ready to increase links with possible new partners in Japan and the United States. The first evidence of that process will be witnessed next month.

The Coca-Cola Championship football club will be playing host to a squad of 19 young footballers from Japan at the end of August. The youngsters are being sent to England by Argyle's club president, Yasuhiko Okudera.

The former professional footballer – he played in Germany and for Japan's national team – was given the role of president by the Pilgrims in June last year, two months after his compatriot Yasuaki Kagami joined Argyle's board of directors. Kagami's company, KK Shonan, now owns the largest single stake in the Home Park club.

Okudera runs a football academy in Yokohama, Japan. During their stay, the young players from his school will be supervised by Kevin Hodges, the former Argyle player and manager who now coaches at the club's Centre of Excellence. They will also attend the Pilgrims' Championship fixture against Sheffield Wednesday at Home Park on Saturday, August 29.

The Japanese youngsters will also play two matches at Elburton Villa's Haye Road ground, against an Exeter City youth team on Wednesday, August 26 (2pm) and an Argyle youth team on Friday, August 28 (2pm). Admission will be free of charge to both games.

In their quest to boost commercial revenue for the club, Argyle also intend to develop links with a football academy in Los Angeles, California. They now have an American director: George Synan, Kagami's business partner.