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

2019

JPC-JPSA : Business Meeting on January 29th, 2019 - Tokyo
The business trip to Japan Paralympic Committee / Japan Para-Sports Association(hereinafter “JPC – JPSA)” / https://www.paralympic.org/japan / http://www.jsad.or.jp/) at(〒103-0014 Tokyo, Chūō, Nihonbashikakigaracho, 2 Chome−13−６ ユニゾ水天宮ビル
3F) was part of the TIAS 3rd Batch student, Celestin Nzeyimana, initiative to deepen his
understanding of the JPC-JPSA; and, who has been working towards development ofParalympics and Para-Sports in Rwanda and African Continent; and also as part of his
research at TIAS Master’s program in Sport and Olympic Studies http://tias.tsukuba.ac.jp/).
Further, the meeting involved working towards the LEGACY – as part of the TIAS vision,by its students, back in their home countries, and to also connect the NPCs; both of thoseobjectives has been the focus of Celestin at TIAS.
# please also see - http://tias.tsukuba.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2018_Workshop-IBSA-JudoAfrica-Development-and-Introduction-of-Judo-for-Blind-Athletes-in-Rwanda_Feb-28-to-March-4-1.pdf

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

2019

Meeting with Mr. Tomohiro IDA, the Secretary General of JPC, and a staff member,
Ms. Rio HORIZOE, at the Tokyo HQ, along with Celestin Nzeyimana and myself (Prof.
Randeep Rakwal), the meeting started with exchange of materials related to TIAS andrelevant external project (http://tias.tsukuba.ac.jp/external-activities/projects/) reports ofTIAS activities by us and materials and booklets produced by JPC-JPSA and the work done
the organization in Japan. It was a very fruitful discussion where it was informed that JPCJPSA is working hard towards the enhanced ‘visibility’ of the Paralympics-Para-Sports, andhoping for more high-level competitions in Japan so that more and more of its citizens andothers can attend and involve in the sports; moreover, it was also informed that there areinitiatives involving holding of the Para-Sports/Events and Paralympians in/near Schools sothat the children can have an opportunity and understanding of the field of Paralympics-ParaSports. Moreover, it was felt that more work has to be done to take the word ‘inspiration’ tothe level as desired by the IPC (https://www.paralympic.org/). Further explaining the visionof the JPC-JPSA, Mr. IDA mentioned that with TOKYO 2020, the pyramid will expand tocover all that is envisaged hopefully in the coming years to 2030.

It was also impressive to see how the HQ walkways were covered by panels depicting not theup-coming Tokyo 2020 games but also had a history of the Paralympics illustrated
throughout; highly informative and appealing.

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

2019

Celestin, as both a TIAS student and also as a representative of the NPC of Rwanda (anddesignated, Chef de Mission – Tokyo 2020, official spokesperson for NPC Rwanda) otherthan explaining about his activities for development of NPC Rwanda and Paralympics inAfrica, and increasing the awareness of Para-Sports / Disability Sports – enquired about therole and involvement of JPC-JPSA internationally, and how it can use its partnership andsponsorship for helping other NPCs, especially the African NPCs. JPC-JPSA has goodwill in
working with Rwanda through its sports federations and associations. There is a possibility of
introducing new sports, holding exchange programs, initiating sport training programs andproviding sports equipment through collaboration and networking for designated disability
sports such as Judo for the blind, goalball, Boccia, wheelchair sports, sitting volleyball, etc.
In Rwanda, disability sports are not yet widespread. There is an urgent need for not only
increasing their awareness to the public but also to have an increase in the number ofparticipants. This is not just for the sport-game as such; it is much more than that – it is about
inclusion, a key word spoken very often.
From the meeting, it was learnt (and seen) that the JPC-JPSA has developed excellent
educational materials per each disability sport that can help to spread the knowledge,
awareness and interest people to join and support disability sports. This can be used by school
teachers and community members.
JPC-JPSA has agreed to cooperate with TIAS and University of Tsukuba to consider thefeasibility of sharing the sport educational materials for localization.
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Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy forSport Studies (TIAS), University of Tsukuba

2019

Thank you JPC-JPSA, the time and interaction are greatly appreciated.

Celestin Nzeyimana
Executive Director of NPC Rwanda / ParaVolley Africa Secretary-General / Expert in Inclusive Sport andParalympics
3rd Batch Student
Master's Program in Sport and Olympic Studies, Tsukuba International Academy for Sports - TIAS,
University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 3025-8574, Ibaraki, Japan
Email: celestinze2016@gmail.com / info@npcrwanda.com ; Tel.: +81-70-4305-6755 / Japan & +250-788672-739 / Rwanda; Skype Name: nzeyimana.celestin

Dr. Randeep RAKWAL, Ph.D.
Professor, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies(TIAS), Global Sport Innovation Bldg., Room 403, UNIVERSITY OF TSUKUBA, 1-1-1 Tennodai,
Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
Email - plantproteomics@gmail.com - rakwal.randeep.fu@u.tsukuba.ac.jp (office)
Mobile – (+81) 090-1853-7875 / Office phone – (+81)029-853-2681
Website: http://tias.tsukuba.ac.jp / http://www.trios.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/researcher/0000003045

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