Yabe-kun retired from the professional soccer league in August of 2006, and has returned to his hometown Nara in the aim of establishing a J-League club in Nara.
Nara doesn't have any professional teams, soccer, basketball, baseball.

Then, Yabe-kun established "Nara Club" in April last year, and the team moved up to the second division in Kansai League.
The team is now in the middle of the season, and keeps the second position which will entitle the team to the first division.

According to the Japanese soccer league, if the team achieved a good record and healthy management, they can join J-League.
（Prefecture League → Regional League Division2 → Regional League Division1 → JFL → J2 → J1）
Therefore, it'll be year 2012 they can join J-League at earliest!

I'm an originally athletic-type, so I wholeheartedly support him in realizing the harmony of sports, arts and cultures in Nara.

I heard that the pro player Mr. Seigo Narazaki, Yabe-kun's senior teammate in high school, is also thinking of establishing a soccer stadium in Nara.

The team "Nara Club" will have a match.
First-round match of the Emperor's Cup, 13:00, Sep. 20 Sunday.
Nara Club vs. Saurcos Fukui
At Kashihara Athletics Stadium.
If they win, they will play against Albirex Niigata from J1 next!
Don't miss it!