Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018

SPORT SCIENCE & MEDICINE (including BIOMECHANICS) and PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
JAPAN SPORT EXPERTS-CONTINUING INDIA PROJECTS(December 6th to 12th, 2017)
A GENERALIZED REPORT – To STAKEHOLDERS (Japan and India)

BACKGROUNDth

The 4 Business Trip/PROJECT (Prof. Randeep Rakwal, TIAS, University of Tsukuba, UT) to India
was the outcome of the previous 3 fruitful academic and scientific exchanges between TIAS
(UT) on holistic sharing of SPORT and OLYMPIC STUDIES-related knowledge by the Japan Sport
Experts both from TIAS-TAIIKU-UT Faculty (and also Nippon Sports Science University (NSSU)
as part of the SFT-Tri University Cooperation, and the SHOWCASE Conference held on Dec 14th,
later in Dec, 2018 to highlight the importance of cooperation and networking), therein.
 But, briefly, to summarize, the previous aims and outcomes of 2017 India-Projects(Business Trips form TIAS), they are as follows: a) Spreading the TIAS educational
legacy program (Professors, Modules, Research and Activities therein), University ofTsukuba, and the OLYMPIC MOVEMENT/OLYMPISM to wide range of participants; b)obtaining Student’s Internships (2nd Batch, & IDS program); c) application for TIAS
Master’s program (3rd Batch); d) Identifying Guest Speakers for Sports Science andMedicine, Olympic-Paralympic Education, Olympism, SDP, and NGOs; e) Identifying
areas of further cooperation with SAI-(Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports,
Government of India) NS-NIS and LNIPE and follow up on COACHING CERTIFICATETRAINING (Football) and HIGH-PERFORMANCE SCIENCE CENTER (Swimming) and
Pre-Olympic Training Camp discussions with Ibaraki Prefectural Government (Joso City
submitted a proposal to the Embassy of India, The Ambassador of India to Japan, H.E.
Mr. Sujan R. Chinoy) and UT, and f) signing of LETTER OF INTENTS with SAI and LNIPE.
In regards to the LOIs, post-signing, now we are progressing towards the MOUs
finalization and signing.
 The translation and sharing of knowledge in SPORTS as a whole is also a part of the
TIAS ACADEMIC LEGACY; i.e., developing projects and continuing them till Tokyo2020
and with an impact down the road Beyond 2020.

1Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018 As it was mentioned in the previous reports, 2017 is the KEY YEAR for the first-steps
forward, as also designated under the “The Year of Japan-India Friendly Exchanges”.
To be able to continue these initiatives, I express my sincere thanks to TIAS-University ofTsukuba, Prof. Sanada, Chairman of TIAS, JSA, and the Indian counterpart SAI; and where thegreat support from a 2nd Batch TIAs student, and who is also the AD (Assistant Director) of SAI,
Mr. Manikant Sharma is also appreciated; and finally starting with December 2017 with Profs.
Ae and Okade (NSSU) and Asst. Prof. Kinoshita (The University of Tokyo) support to India
projects. International Team Work is KEY to SUCCESS.
The Current Business Trip, undertaken by Prof. Randeep Rakwal (also serving to coordinate
various Japan-India projects, including as part of networking with NSSU, under the
SFT-Tri-University cooperation) at two different locations, of North India, i) SAICON2017 Sports
Science and Medicine International Conference in New Delhi, and ii) discussions/meetings on
the SPORTS SCIENCE and COACHING programs to be developed at NS-NIS, Patiala, including
follow-up of the previous coach training programs. Thank you once again Prof. Ae and Prof.
Okade. Thank you too Dr. Kinoshita.

DAY to DAY ACTIVITIES
1. MAJOR WORKS 1
2017, Dec. 7th to 9th : The CONFERENCE (1,000 Delegates)
Starting on the previous night, 6th December, I had discussion with Mr. Manikant Sharma,
AD-SAI on the 5-day plan for India projects, starting with SAICON2017 (7th to 9th) and meetings
with various organizational heads (including SAI, Director General and Sec. Sports (MYAS), DDG,
and Director of NADA, and Executive Director of NS-NIS, and Dean Sports Sciences, andPrincipal and Regional Director of LNCPE (for Physical Education curriculum) during the comingdays. The next day was the start of the International Conference-1st SAICON2017 in New Delhi,
India.
The Conference started with the opening by the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports,
Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore (Retd.), who is an OLYMPIAN – As a shooter, competing in the
double trap event, he won a silver medalin the 2004 Olympic Games (Athens) –who impressed upon the idea of SPORTS
SCIENCE as a key factor behind developing
the ATHLETES of tomorrow. He was joinedon the podium by prominent OLYMPIANS
2

Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018

to support the cause for development of Indian SPORT.
The Book of ABSTRACTS was also presented as a SOUVENIOR to the participants so as toremember and share the accumulated knowledge.
Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore (third from left)

Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore (second from left; DG, SAI,
third from left; Olympians on the right)

3

Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018

Keynotes by famous sports scientists from India and then around the world, were the day’s
events, followed by discussions. I (Randeep Rakwal, along with Prof. Ae (NSSU), Chairpersonof Session 1) was the vice-chairperson of the 1st Day SCIENTIFIC sessions. Dr. Okade (NSSU)
and Dr. Kinoshita (University of Tokyo) were my Japanese colleagues joining the Conference.

(Prof. Okade, Dr. Kinoshita, Prof. Ae)

4

Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018

The following 2 days were spent in listening to various lectures and meeting with the sportscientists from SAI, India and globally (UK, South Africa, Italy, Norway, Germany, Malaysia)-a
great networking chance and also to introduce the TIAS MA program and SFT toInternational Sport Scientists. I (and my colleagues) was presented the Certificate of
Recognition for the Contribution to the Conference in Delhi, which I am happy to display in myoffice in GSI403, University of Tsukuba.

Meetings with Dr. PSM Chandran, Secretary, SAICON2017 and Manikant Sharma

Another important contribution was a POSTER PRESENTATION- As part of the TIAS 2 nd Batch
Student (Ms. Jaimie A. Tani, who was not present but represented by myself) Research being
supervised by myself and Prof. Nishiyasu, Head, Sports Science and Medicine module. The
RESEARCH was well received by the participants who were impressed by the details of such an
5Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018

experiment focusing on the sports massage therapy for ATHLETES.

This was also an opportunity to discuss new potential collaborations with sports scientists from
SAI, others, and physiotherapists, including the use of Yoga-based therapy for athlete highperformance and endurance. Personally, a good interaction and networking with Sports
Scientists from SAI and India and Globally, and I would like to see the SAICON2017 develop intoa movement for change in sports sciences and sports education, with more concrete
collaborations and sharing of knowledge, for the athletes and coaches in India. Here JapaneseSport Universities can play an important role, by not only having “Japan Sport Experts” provide
expertise to India at various levels but also the bigger opportunity for younger (budding)Japanese Sports researchers and graduate students to learn from the experience of working
together with Indian counterparts; i.e., it is a good learning experience early on in their careers.

MINOR WORKS 2
2017, Dec. 7th to 9th : The MEETINGS/DISCUSSIONSAn important highlight was meetings with the Director General of SAI (Shri. Rahul
Bhatnagar, MYAS, GoI) and the top leadership on the current state of the INDIA-JAPAN
Projects (under the LOIs and MOUs with both NSSU and UT-in progress)

6Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018This continues the process started in Feb 2017, when we visited SAI HQ under theleadership of Prof. Sanada, and met with the then Sec. Sports and DG, SAI, Mr. Injeti
Srinivas, and in July 2017, when the Indian delegation visited Japan. From the TIAS
perspective, it sets the stage for a SUSTAINABLE ACADEMIC LEGACY. From NSSU
perspective, it initiates the process of Future Collaborations, starting with this first visit
to both Delhi (Prof. Ae and Prof. Okade) and followed by NS-NIS (Prof. Ae), as part ofthe signed MOUs.

Indian-side (SAI) delegation

Japanese-side (NSSU and UT) delegation
The main points was: that both sides (countries) have established good relations andthat now a ROAD MAP is required to be created (as also desired by the Embassy of7Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018Japan, in India) to step up the cooperation between SAI and the two Japanese
Universities. The DG(SAI) mentioned that the establishment of two separate Centers
for Science and Coaching (National Center for Sport Science Research, NCSSR; andNational Center for Coaching Research, NCCR) by SAI, will require the support(hand-holding) of both NSSU and UT in terms of infrastructure (equipment’s input,
design, layout, etc.) and course curriculum (Faculty) for future Degree programs. The
request was for the “concrete and specific” support at these areas by both universities’,
and who specifically to invite (as experts-Professors) from NSSU and UT. Also, thequestion of distance learning/e-learning was discussed. The next steps were to be
discussed and presented to the DDG, SAI, Mr. Sandip Pradhan and Dr. S.S. Roy ED of
NS-NIS and also the Director of NADA Mr. Navin Agrawal (and VC, designate of the new
and upcoming Sports University in Imphal, Manipur-North East India); and on the
aspects of Physical Education with Dr. G. Kishore, LNCPE.
This followed by a meeting with NADA, and the main point was the development of
the new Sports Science University, and the possible support by both Universities on
Instrumentation, Human Resources, and Academic Programs. Prof. Ae mentioned
about the importance of Coach minded Scientists and Scientists-Coaches; dual benefitof coach and teacher. “Some NSSU professors could serve as good role models”. Prof.
Okade mentioned about Teacher-Student ratio and lecturing time and regulation ofstaff time is very important for efficiency. A follow-up on the course curriculum andother aspects of the support (sport technology, infrastructure, faculty mentoring, etc.)
was considered.

NADA meeting (center, Mr. N. Agrawal, Director)
8Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018

MINOR WORKS 2
2017, Dec. 7th to 9th : The PE MEETING with LNCPE, Trivandrum
The meeting was: carried out on aspects of Physical Education and the Curriculum
between the TEAM led by with Dr. G. Kishore, Principal and Regional Director,
SAI-LNCPE and Prof. Okade of NSSU and joined together by Prof. Ae; and myself as a
non-expert on this subject. The LNCPE has 12 faculty members and the UG course has
Bachelor’s in PEd and PG course has Master’s in Ped; and then MPhil followed by PhD.
Revision of the course curriculum is being planned by the committee for a Basic Degree
Course + 1-year Teachers Education Course.; to be innovative –Theory/Practical/Teaching/Coaching, and field experience; so syllabus modifications
are needed. Prof. Okade mentioned about the 5-year course. Further the 2-times field

experience in the 3rd year and the 5th year possibility. In Japan there is the 4-year B.PE
course in Universities. These require a high degree of standards and especially in the PE.
Japan has developed the standards. For the future job, the issue is the same
everywhere, in Japan, the graduates have to pass the recruitment exam for being PE
Teachers, and it is under each Prefecture (i.e., equivalent to State in India). Moreover,the students have to go through 4 years in different schools. Critical Thinking is an
important/critical aspect of the education. Certification is another point, and theGovernment controls the System-the Exam. In the field of PE, there are a number ofsteps; and same requirement for all courses: Knowledge and Society-contribution to.
Future visit by Prof. Okade to LNCPE was desired and continue knowledge exchange.
9Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018

2. MAJOR WORKS 2
2017, Dec. 10th and 11th : NS-NIS, Patiala, Punjab (met around 50 people)
The last one and half day was spent at NS-NIS, Patiala, the premier National Instituteof Sport, in Punjab state of India. From the Japanese delegation, there were only 2
persons, Prof. Ae (NSSU) and myself (Randeep) to undertake the trip to the NS-NIS, in
Patiala, around 6 hours’ drive from Delhi towards the North, in the state of Punjab.
Other than follow-up on the previous visit and programs in Feb 2017 (by TIAS
delegation), it was also an opportunity to have Prof. Ae, an expert on Sport Sciences(BIOMECHANICS) to personally have a site/field visit to this sports science institute toobserve the facilities, and sports science set-ups, in particular biomechanics lab, andalso interact with the sport scientists therein. The kind invitation by the Executive
Director (NS-NIS), Dr. S.S. Roy to visit the institute is greatly appreciated, and the great
welcome and hospitality by Dean, Sport Sciences at NS-NIS, Dr. Rajdeep Kaur is muchappreciated (being a Sunday on the day of arrival). The Handball and Fencing Head
Coaches are also greatly appreciated.

(Dr. Rajdeep Kaur, Prof. Ae-presenting)(Dr. SS Roy, ED-NS-NIS and Prof. Ae)
10

Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018

The discussions started with a pre-lunch meeting (10th) with the Dean, Dr. Kaur on the
Course (Sport Science) structure between Japan and India. “Coaches are very good in
performance but not academically strong in India”. The mention of the start of thecourses in NS-NIS was informed following up on the Delhi meetings; and that courses
will have the Foreign Faculty at NS-NIS. The topic was how to develop the Sports
Science and Coaching courses to a higher level…Was it to follow the Japan model? As
has been the choice from the former DG Mr. Srinivas, following the 2017 visit to Japan.
The point was to help see and provide inputs to the sports science and sports coaching
3-year Degree program (Bachelors) at both General and Honors levels. They would bepart of the 2 centers – NCSSR (National Center for Sport Science Research) and NCCR
(National Center for Coaching Research).
Post-lunch, the first meeting started at 3:30 PM, with Dr. Rajdeep Kaur and Senior
Scientists and Research Officers of the Faculty of Sport Sciences (NS-NIS) in the
Conference Room of the Main Guest House (for distinguished Guests). Dr. G.L. Khanna,previously known to us at University Tsukuba for the Tsukuba Summer Instituteprogram, and now Consultant with the SAI (Delhi) was also present at the meeting.

Prof. Ae was welcomed as a Biomechanics Expert from NSSU and me from Tsukuba(TIAS) and working since 2017 with SAI/NS-NIS for a ‘number of program of activities’
between Japan and India, which is an honor and great responsibility. The agenda of themeeting was laid out by Dr. Rajdeep Kaur, as to listen/hear from Prof. Ae today (10th)
and tomorrow (11th) and to describe and introduce the Sport Sciences Faculty byherself and discuss the activities therein towards establishment of the new centers anddegree programs.
Prof. Ae started with explaining the background on NSSU (high performing Athletes
and success at the Olympics-Paralympics, and value and contribution of sports
sciences) and the previous visits by the Indian delegation in 2017, and one phrase
11Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018

stands out “Athlete-minded Practitioner” in the setting of a strong sport science
center and towards high performance in sport by the athletes. All disciplines are
required and should be taught in Sports University too. Prof. Ae mentioned about his
books / journal for coaches and athletes and how it is important to communicate thescience to the athletes and coaches and to work together. In sports versus physics: it
the use of or application of obtained data, which is important. NS-NIS scientists
mention that they are “impressed by the far-sightedness “looking ahead” of Prof. Ae”.
Prof. Ae went on to explain the “SPORT SCIENCE STRUCTURE” by using the white
Board, by explaining where each “coaching science – applied science – nutrition –sport medicine-physiology-psychology – and philosophy stand in the PYRAMID
structure. Another key phrase worth noting form Prof. Ae was “The Mind of the
Teacher” for coaches.

Multiple questions and discussions followed on the nature of the proposed 3-year
degree program at NS-NIS, and on the Honors (specialization) and Prof. Ae mentioned“we have to know all (subjects) to apply it as the competitions needs all”; “Coach as an
Educator”; and “Coaching is Education”. Prof. Ae also presented a SLIDE (below) on
his EXPECTATIONS.

12

Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018

Finally, to the end of this meeting, by explaining the area (268 acres) and the Sports
Science Faculty, how many members (exercise physiology-6, the most), teaching loads,
achievements of the scientists; and the plan for the NCSSR, which is in motion (andalso Prof. Ae and I have been requested to give our inputs on it), building design, basic
labs, specialized labs, etc. I (Randeep) talked about the importance of doing research
projects for degree course students and also involvement of the Scientists to help
facilitate them as the NS-NIS has an excellent resource of athletes and coaches todevelop new research and apply it as Prof. Ae has nicely elaborated.

(images from Dr. Kaur’s presentation on NS-NIS)
On the 11th (Monday), Prof. Ae was welcomed by the ED (NS-NIS), Dr. S.S. Roy, andhonored as a distinguished scientist and guest from NSSU, Tokyo, Japan.
Prior to that main lecture and discussions, we visited the Faculty of Sport Sciencebuilding and Laboratories therein (site visit within the NS-NIS campus), and it was
important to see what are the existing facilities at each discipline, and detailed
observations, discussions and advice was given by Prof. Ae to the Sport Biomechanics
Senior Scientist, Dr. M.D. Ranga and Research Officer on the facilities there and whatneeds to be improved and how.

13Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018

Practical discussions were also done on the software’s (tools) and current experiments
ongoing at the laboratory.

Prof. Ae started his second lecture to the assembled NS-NIS scientists, Administrators
and Researchers and Coaches; by saying that NS-NIS has a lot of potential to contributeto Sports and Sport-Biomechanics in particular, and the reason for his visit here.
[“Instruments for understanding the Functions, Recent Major Research” and“techniques for biomechanics”] was the topic of the TALK in both Theory and Practical
Examples. To design the laboratory it was suggested to follow the Pyramid design. Prof.
Ae further mentioned that the Coach should know all as possible. Coach should haveknowledge of at least 10 principles (out of 40) of BIOMECHANICS. Why the athlete wonor got injured? It was further explained that for example, JAAF activities started in
1991; and as a team, Prof. Ae and group did the analysis of the World Championship(on the 9.86 sec World Record). The presentation extends to how the science
explained each sport and as required, its classification. Is Champion motion peculiar /unique or standard? These were points of discussion during the presentation and it
was further explained that “Science (of Biomechanics) has begun to reveal that theChampion motion is closer to Standard
than speculated; i.e., science of
biomechanics really relates to theunderstanding of a winning motion”.
Use of an Integrative Model – Goodrelationships between the Scientists
and Coaches and ATHLETES is critical.
Finally, Prof. Ae recommended to
NS-NIS to PREPARE THEIR OWNSTANDARDS (Indian Context).
14

Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport
Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2018

As of my (Randeep) comments, on the specially the new Degree program was asfollows: Each laboratory and department in Sports Science at NS-NIS would benefit
from preparing objectives of the lab./dept. in line with the vision and mission of the
new NCSSR and NCCR, as a module-based system. In other words, each module candecide their curriculum and having compulsory and optional courses and foundation
subjects, especially in regards to research projects and dissemination of research
output to the scientific community.
The last part of the visit (post-lunch on the 11th) was to see the sport-coachingfacilities at NS-NIS campus, meet the coaches and to give some recommendations(Prof. Ae) in context of the use of BIOMECHANICS feedback during training.

We will continue the next steps forward both from NSSU side (-Prof. Ae has alreadysubmitted his recommendations on curriculum for sports science/biomechanics set-up
equipment’s), and from TIAS side (follow up on Coaching and Olympic education
programs and Sport for All-Inclusive – Adapted Sports for Blind); and TIAS delegation isgoing from 10th to 22nd Feb., 2018 to NS-NIS, Patiala, for UT-TAIIKU-TIAS & SAI-related
projects, and to Punjab University, and New Delhi (SAI/Swimming Academy).
Thank you.
Dated: Jan 21, 2018
Signed:Randeep RAKWAL, Ph.D., Professor(Coordinator, UT [Japan] - SAI [India] Projects)

15