Japan to construct gymnasium for girls in Kabul

Tokyo, September 17, 2007 (Pajhwok Afghan News): The government of Japan will construct a gymnasium for girls in Kabul as well as organise training courses for female Afghan teachers in Japan.

Japan deputy minister for Education, Sports and Culture Professor Kenshiro Matsunami said the construction of gymnasium was pledged during a meeting with director of the Afghanistan Olympic Committee Muhammad Anwar Jagdalak.

In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, the Japanese minister said the gymnasium was being constructed as there were no sports facilities for girls in Afghanistan. Work on the gymnasium will kick off in the near future, he added.

A second project about training courses for female Afghan teachers in was also under considerations, he added. Under the proposed programme, five female Japanese trainers will give training to as many female Afghan teachers in Japan.

Besides, several Afghan students would be offered scholarships in Japan, said the deputy minister, who added a large number of Afghan students were presently getting education in that country.

Professor Matsunami said his government wanted to offer scholarships to Afghan students in medical, agriculture, law and other subjects.

He said Afghanistan and Japan were enjoying longstanding relationship and Japan was eager to further cement the ties by extending cooperation to Afghanistan in different sectors.

Besides reconstruction, he said, Japan was assisting the international war against terrorism in Afghanistan. Japanese ships are re-fuelling US-led coalition vessels in the Indian Ocean under a mandate that expires on November 1.

However, Matsunami said the issue would be presented before the parliament during its upcoming meeting. He hoped the parliament would extend the period.