Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy forSport Studies (TIAS), TAIIKU - University of Tsukuba (UT)2019

MYAS-SAI_NOC_FEDERATIONS_JSW Sports Delegation Visit to Japan (October 3rd to 8th2019) HIGHLIGHTS
Following the first general (introductory meeting on July 26th and July 30th, 2018) between the IndianSports Delegation and the Embassy of India, Tokyo for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 GAMES, the second
visit was (ongoing at the time of writing) from October 3rd to 8th, 2019, led by Shri L.S. Singh, Joint
Secretary (Sports, MYAS, Government of India) = Team Leader ( L. S. シン、インド政府青少年スポーツ省
次官補 (スポーツ担当) (代表団長) and coordinated by Shri Karan Yadav, Second Secretary (Political) at the
Embassy of India, in Tokyo, Japan (https://www.indembassy-tokyo.gov.in/).
The Indian delegation consisted of 5 members including Shri L.S. Singh (Team Leader), and were - Shri
Ashwani Kumar, Deputy Director, Sports Authority of India (アシュワニ・クマール、青少年スポーツ省スポ
ーツ庁団体競技局副局長); Shri R.K. Sacheti, Executive Director, Boxing Federation of India (R.K.サケッティ、
イ ン ド ボ ク シ ン グ 連 盟 常 任 理 事 ); Shri Nitin Arya, Manager (Competitions & Operations), Athletics
Federation of India (ニティン・アリヤ、インド陸上競技連盟 部長 (競技＆運営担当); Shri Aman Shah, Lead,Media & Communications, JSW Sports (アマン・シャー、JSW Sports リーダー、メディア・コミュニケーション課)
plus Prof. Randeep Rakwal (University of Tsukuba-TAIIKU-TIAS; and, coordinating between SAI andUT and NSSU, the Sports-related projects). The team was introduced to Shri. Gaurav Gupta, First
Secretary, and a pre-discussion as held on the visit agenda, including role of volunteers and the foodissues.

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Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy forSport Studies (TIAS), TAIIKU - University of Tsukuba (UT)2019

The first meeting, on the day of arrival, October 3rd, was with H.E. Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma,
Ambassador of India to Japan at Tokyo, who welcoming the delegation, emphasized three main points,
as the time required for decision making in Japan follows a set of protocols and the importance of
deadlines, Tokyo 2020 working philosophy and terms of conditions, and for the Indian side to define
parameters and create flexibility. The Ambassador also mentioned how the Indian Field Hockey
Women’s Team will be hosted by the Okuizumo town, Shimane Prefecture for the pre-games training
camps (a preliminary report can be found at - https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/431/), andwelcomed the Indian delegation visit to finalize some more pre-games training sites and cooperation on
SPORT between India and Japan.

The Ambassador also empathized on the importance of training camps, in not only they fulfil the need of‘TRAINING; prior to the OLYMPIC and PARALYMPIC GAMES, but also serves to theinternationalization of Japan and provides an intercultural experience; thus a win-win situation forboth countries through SPORT. Issues reading food, volunteers, both official and non-official (outside
the Games), cultural sensitivity and accreditation were put forth by both the Joint Secretary Shri . L.S.
Singh, but also by one of the highly experienced persons in the international Sporting movement andgames organization in India, Shri, R.K. Sacheti (also representing the IOA, Indian Olympic Association,
the local NOC) who described the finer details of the games especially the Olymp ic-Paralympic games
from previous experiences. The meeting also discussed on the INDIA OLYMPIC HOUSE (tentativename) a program for the hospitality, an initiative by the JSW sports, and being coordinated by Aman Shah
(who is also an ex-student of the TIAS-UT, a Tokyo 2020 Academic Legacy program), and it was
discussed how the HOUSE can and should serve not only as a platform for various SPORTING issues
meetings and discussion but also SHOWCASE INDIA and its CULTURE and PEOPLE. The
Ambassador also emphasized that the ‘house’ should be used to RAISE AWARNESS of INDIAN SPORT
or SPORT in INDIA among not only Japan but the visiting countries to Tokyo next year (2020). The
involvement of the Indian community will be critical to its success, and volunteerism is a prestigious issue.
The above was immediately followed by the Indian diaspora (in Tokyo/Japan) meeting the visiting
Indian delegation at the Embassy, where 28 members from the Indian community (including scientists,business people, state association members, company employees and students) attended, Lasting for morethan an hour, the gathering listened to the Indian delegation and discuss on the needs and various issues
regarding the visiting Indian National Team and support staff and others, for the next year 2020 Games,

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

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and present their views and local context. Shri L.S. Singh mentioned – ‘Sport is becoming a very big
movement, other than economic power, we need to be being a great sporting nation-movemnet, and acoordinated focus and direction is the need of the hour. This opportunity for the ‘house’ and the volunteer
system and support through the Indian community here will give us a base for the Paris 24 and LA 28
Games, and so your inputs are required’. Shri. R.K. Sacheti mentioned an important point- ‘we need yoursupport as cheerleaders, and this is also very critical aspect and what brings the motivation to go to theextra step for an athlete winning the medals; and also not to forget the PARALYMPICS’. The role ofvolunteers other than the TOKYO 2020 volunteer program (https://tokyo2020.org/en/special/volunteer/), which is an
official part of the GAMES, Indian Diaspora was highly enthusiastic for having a volunteer system (andalso appreciation letter for volunteers from the authorities concerned) through the Embassy of India incooperation with the MYAS-SAI and Indian community together. A management / core committee wasrecommended to be set up. Other aspects discussed were – obtaining tickets, sharing the information for
the Indian athlete’s events with the Indian community, and practical issues such as apartments-food,outside the Olympic Games Village. Additionally, a LIST of DO’s and importantly DON’T’s was
requested for by the delegation to the Indian Community based here, for smooth participation in the Gamesand visit to Tokyo. In all,3

Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy forSport Studies (TIAS), TAIIKU - University of Tsukuba (UT)2019

The Day 2 was started with a visit to the JAPAN BOXING FEDERATION, at the newly opened
Japan Sport Olympic Square adjacent to the NATIONAL STADIUM. The meeting was with the
President of JBF, Mr. Sadanobu UCHIDA, who graciously kept time for the visit by the Indiandelegation, here led by Executive Director, Boxing Federation of India Shri R.K. Sacheti), who
thanked Mr. Uchida for the warm welcome and time during the National Games Season; and introduced
the Joint Sec. Shri. L.S. Singh, to the President of JBF. Following up on the meeting in Russia with JBF,
the need for more training camps and joining training camps with more multinational teams was on theagenda. The JBF asked of the BFI on what and when they need training camps, and it was discussed for
2020, prior to the games a need for these camps and practice. JBF informed of the May 2020 Miyazaki
prefecture multinational training camp (with 4 countries; and having 2 rings) and if Indian would like tojoin; and the dates are ‘tbd’. The other option was Hiroshima (also sister city to India) (having 3 rings)
where the Mexico team will be training pre-games. The BFI would like to participate and start with the test
event later in October, is looking forward to the ‘dates’ which will be provided in the coming weeks. The
JBF also asked how many Boxers and Staffs will attend; and approximately 8 Boxers (male) and maybe 5
women boxers (in all weight categories) will like to join the training here; and with staff the total number
maybe 20. BFI also welcomed the JBF to join in the multinational Boxing Training to be held in India(Bengaluru) from 4th to 20th of January, and which was appreciated by the JBF. Shri R.K. Sacheti alsomentioned that BOXING is fast becoming a PRIORITY SPORT in India. The meeting ended with awarm note and a move towards welcoming the INDIAN BOXERS to Japan.

4Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy forSport Studies (TIAS), TAIIKU - University of Tsukuba (UT)2019

The next visit of the day was a detailed meeting and field site checks at/to CHUO UNIVERSITY (TamaCampus) and NITTAIDAI (Nippon Sport Science University-NSSU; both Setagaya and Kenshidai
campuses), and the training sites for ATHLETICS (Chuo University- Indian National PARA TEAM is
already been accepted to join for pre-games training next year) and WEIGHTLIFTING and
WRESTLING (at NSSU). The meetings gave an opportunity for the Indian Delegation to see first-handthe excellent training sites and facilities, including the SPORTING SYSTEM for their STUDENT
ATHLETES at these Universities. A very good meeting for the pre-games training was held and theweighting camp for next year has been concluded at NSSU; options on wrestling are being deliberated
on the Indian side/federation; andalso for Athletics are being
discussed and will be decided soon.

(CHUO UNIVERSITYTAMA CAMPUS)# Below page shows themeeting (International andthe Olympic-Paralympic
Project Promotion Office)and site visits to NSSU
campuses5Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy forSport Studies (TIAS), TAIIKU - University of Tsukuba (UT)

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NSSU
(Tokyo-Yokohama)6Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy forSport Studies (TIAS), TAIIKU - University of Tsukuba (UT)2019

Day 3 was to the check the ACCOMODATIONS (critical issue for the support staffs) in Tokyo and
UNIVERSITY of TSUKUBA, Tsukuba Campus. The UT visit saw the Global Sport Innovation (GSI)
building which not only houses the TIAS program, from where Aman graduated with honors, and is now
working towards the LEGACY, but also high-tech HUMAN HIGH PERFORMANCE and SPORTS
SCIENCE and BIOMECHANICS SYSTEM geared towards excellence and Olympic Golds. An hourlong vast sporting facility walk (with Indian students, including recently joined at TIAS from NADA) was
organized by Prof. Rakwal, and the delegation was impressed not only on sports science and excellent
sporting fields and gymnasiums, but also how the university emphasizes on COMMUNITYINVOLVEMENT, especially the participation of KIDS in SPORT.

(UNIVERSITY of TSUKUBA –Faculty of HEALTH and SPORTSCIENCES – TAIIKU; Tsukuba
Science City CAMPUS)

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Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy forSport Studies (TIAS), TAIIKU - University of Tsukuba (UT)2019

Day 4 (Sunday) was to recap on the 3-days visits to numerous potential pre-games training sites,
accommodations and discuss various issues amongst the delegation, followed by a briefing – update by
the Team Leader Shri. L. S. Singh and others members) H.E. Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma, Ambassador ofIndia to Japan at Tokyo on the visit progress and the final day plan – to Kurobe-shi, Tokyoama prefecture
for the Archery training venue; a productive almost 2-hour long meeting took place in Tokyo and theprogress discussed and recorded.
Day 5 was the final day of Japan visit, and a day-long trip was undertaken to KUROBE CITY, in Toyama
prefecture (=state) for Indian National ARCHERY Team pre-Games TRAINING CAMP
(https://pregamestraining.tokyo2020.jp/en/module/search/result/?prefecture=16&municipality=207) at the NAKANOKUCHI
PARK (https://www.city.kurobe.toyama.jp/index.aspx). The cooperation was facilitated by the SPORTS DIVISION
at the Kurobe City Hall, Mr. Masanori Hashimoto and Prof. Randeep Rakwal, University of Tsukuba(UT). Briefly, the request from the Archery Association of India (http://www.indianarchery.info/) camefollowing the Archery Test Event in Tokyo a few months back [through SAI (http://sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/) AD,
Mr. Dhandapani (who is currently a student at TIAS; UT)] to contact Kurobe city for the possibility of a pre-games
training camp. Following 3 visits (and numerous details via mail) to Tsukuba by Mr. Hashimoto and theensuing discussions, the possibility of both sides (Kurobe/Japan and TOPS-Target Olympic Podium
Scheme at SAI under MYAS - working with Archery Federation) the go-ahead was received from the
TOPS-SAI for a meeting along with other TRAINING SITES visits and preparations towards Tokyo 2020.
Therein the current visit to Kurobe city, within the whole mission of the Indian Sport Delegation. A MoU
draft was discussed and various other modalities prior to the October 7th visit by all parties concerned.
Shri Karan Yadav, Embassy of India, in Tokyo coordinated the interactions from the Embassy side, andupdating the Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma. Prof. Rakwal (as facilitator) arriving directlyfrom Tsukuba met Mr. Hashimoto who introduced the city officials including greeting Mr. HISAYOSHIONO (Mayor, Kurobe, Toyama, Japan) and having a pre-meeting on the day’s schedule.

The visit started by arriving (11 AM) at the Kurobe IC by the Indian delegation and being welcomeby the Kurobe city officials and astaff (Indian national – who also
served as a an official translator for
Kurobe city, Mr. Ramesh DasariInternational
Affairs
Division,
Toyama Prefectural Government) and
we proceeded according to a plannedschedule to visit the various
facilities(accommodation andtraining venues and sports gyms
and centers), have meetings andsharing
opinions,
finally
culminating in the MoU signing
Ceremony at the KUROBE CITY
HALL and a press conference (media).

8Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy forSport Studies (TIAS), TAIIKU - University of Tsukuba (UT)2019

Visiting the hotel for accommodations, which was found quite suitable to all requirements of the athletes
and coaches, the Indian delegation led by Shri. Singh, Joint Secretary (Sports) including Shri. Ashwani
Kumar and Shri Karan Yadav moved to a lunch meeting at a wonderful south Asian kitchen with the
Mayor Mr. Ono and his team,including
Education
officials,
Archery Federation officials where
there was welcome speech by bothsides team leaders, and exchange ofviews on Japan and India; Shri
Karan Yadav explained about
various activities by the Embassy ofIndia and welcomed the Mayor tovisit the Embassy and further
strengthen the cooperation between
Kurobe city and India. Both sides
agreed that SPORT has connected
us but there should be movement in
the long-term cooperation andcollaboration.
Next was the visit to the INDOOR ARCHERY ARENA which is connected to the Main OUTDOORARCHERY ARENA – 6-minutes by minibus; and the MAYOR explained each site with great detail andfollowed by Q&A by the Indian delegation. This served the first aim of the training camp-VENUES.
The venues are excellent, as also determined by the Indian side and the environment is perfect; withbeautiful green grass; and the availability of the indoor venue is also a plus point; additionally a prehab
facility for the ARCHERS will be set up during the camp period. Three Japanese archers also
demonstrated their archery skills and the bulls eye.

9Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences & Tsukuba International Academy forSport Studies (TIAS), TAIIKU - University of Tsukuba (UT)2019

The delegation was next taken to the SPORTS GYMNASIUM where, both fitness and conditioning canbe performed with excellent equipment’s andtraining rooms, and also rehabilitation and relaxationin the swimming pool. Mr. Singh was highly
impressed by the clean facilities and more so by thelevel of sport participation by ‘senior citizens’ there.
This visit took care of the TRAINING &REHABILITION aspects of the training camp.
Final stop was the KUROBE CITY HALL, site
for the meetings and signing of the MoU. A
surprise and WARM WELCOME by CITY
HALL OFFICIALS greeted the Indian delegation,
and wishing them ‘Happy Dussehra’. First, startingwith an introduction video of Kurobe city
showcasing its natural environment and pure water and air, conditions essential to sport, the city delegation
discussed with the Indian delegation on their field and site visits and exchanged views on the suitability of
the city venues as appropriate for the pre-games training camp of the Indian Archery Team. This wasfollowed by an exchange of gifts on both-sides, representing Kurobe city art and Indian legends andphilosophy – Mahatma Gandhi and Yoga and Sports activities in India.

(Exchange of
views
and
looking backat the days
visits)10

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

Finally, the Joint STATEMENT(appreciating the Indian delegation
visit and thanking the city officials
for their wonderful welcome andhospitality) and SIGNING of the
MoU by Kurobe City Mayor(Japan) and MYAS Joint
Secretary (India) and answering
the questions by the MEDIA
personnel (who enquired thereasons to the selection of Kurobe

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

2019city and the time duration / schedule of the camp, and the efforts and considerations by Kurobe city. Thisconcluded the visit by the Indian delegation and we were warmly seen off at the City Hall gates by
the Mayor and his team, awaiting the Indian Archers.

‘THE CEREMONY’

Thank you.
Sincerely Yours,

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
Email - 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.taiiku.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/; http://www.trios.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/researcher/0000003045

Dated: 2019.10.08

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