Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 13, 1990 TAG: 9007130012
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Asahi News Service
DATELINE: HAMAMATSU, JAPAN LENGTH: Medium
No other details of the offer were announced.
Hei Arita, owner of the PJM Futures, a club team in the second section of the amateur soccer league of Shizuoka Prefecture, says he and coach Katsuyoshi Kuwabara flew to Rome in June, where the World Cup games were being held, to hand over a letter of greeting to Maradona through an intermediary. They have not said if they have received a response.
Maradona was in Italy for the past four weeks to compete in the World Cup for the Argentine national team. Argentine lost to West Germany 1-0 in the final Sunday.
PJM is one of a number of Japanese soccer teams with plans to turn professional to compete in a new league scheduled to begin competition in 1992. Maradona will be 31 years old in 1992.
"The team will set aside at least two billion yen to acquire Maradona," Arita said. "If we're going to go after good players, we might as well attack a real superstar rather than someone vague.
"There's still two more years before we turn professional, but we have to start negotiations as early as possible if we want to acquire such a big player. I heard that Maradona likes Japan, and I'm confident he will come."
The coach seems to be as enthusiastic as the owner.
"Since we formed the team in 1987, we have been aiming at developing a team that can compete at the world's top level, based on a 15-year plan, focusing on the World Cup to be held in 2002," Kuwabara said. "Who else will even think of getting Maradona? We have to keep pursuing possibilities."
Arita said he plans to meet Maradona soon. Maradona is under contract with the Italian soccer team Napoli until 1992 but reportedly is looking for an opportunity to transfer to another team, citing the disorderly social conditions in Italy.
PJM Players, who learned of the news in a sports newspaper, seemed surprised.
"Playing on the same team with Maradona is beyond imagination," said Naoji Ito, the captain of PJM. "In local games, we play on dirt fields, and there aren't even shower facilities. As things stand, we'd be embarrassed to have him join the team. Moreover, it's rude to him."
Shunichiro Okano, vice-chairman of the Football Association of Japan, said, "I couldn't help noticing a decline in his physical strength while watching the World Cup games.
"If he comes, his presence will not only draw more spectators, but will be an incentive to other players. I wonder if he'll really come."
by CNB