Philippine Judo Federation receives 142 Tatami Mats from Japan via “Sport for Tomorrow” Programme
2017/2/10
Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) - Press Release No. 05 - 2017
Members of the Philippine Judo Federation (PJF) pose with officials of PJF, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) during the turn over ceremony held in Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on February 8, 2017.
On Wednesday, February 8, 2017, the All Japan Judo Federation (AJJF) —through the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of
Japan— officially turned over 142 pieces of traditional Japanese tatami or ‘woven straw’ mats to the Philippine Judo Federation (PJF) in a ceremony held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila. PJF President David Carter led the ceremonies attended by JICC Director Ken Nakamura and First Secretary Seiki Furudate on behalf of AJJF.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Carter discussed how sport ties have contributed to improving Japan-Philippines relations. Director Nakamura, for his part, expressed hope for further development of judo in the Philippines through the mats provided and highlighted the important role of sports in promoting international cooperation. Also present during the ceremony were Chairman William Ramirez, Commissioner Charles Maxey, and Executive Director Carlo Abarquez of the Philippine Sports Commission, PJF Secretary-General Luleo Panganiban, and PJF Head Coach Rolan Llamas.
The donation was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture; All Japan Judo Federation; Nihon Yusen; and Yusen Logistics, under the “Sport for Tomorrow” Programme of the Japanese Government.
PSC Commissioner Charles Maxey led the ribbon cutting during the turn over of 142 tatami mats to the Philippine Judo Federation.
(L-R) PJF Head Coach/Chief Instructor Rolan Llamas; PJF Secretary-General Luleo Panganiban; PSC Commissioner Charles Maxey; PSC Executive Director Carlo Abarquez; PJF President David Carter, PSC Chairman William Ramirez, and JICC Director Ken Nakamura graced the ceremonies.
About the Sport for Tomorrow (SFT) Programme
Launched in 2013, “Sport for Tomorrow” (SFT) is Japan’s international contribution programme towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. It aims to cultivate an appreciation of sport values across all ages and to promote the Olympic and Paralympic Movement to the world by: (1) encouraging international cooperation and exchange through hosting sports events and initiating sport-related projects, such as the development of facilities, provision of sports equipment, dispatch of sports instructors and athletes, and support in the formulation of physical education curricula globally; (2) nurturing sports talents via internationally-linked sport academies; and (3) further strengthening international Anti-Doping Efforts.
Through the SFT Programme, Japan hopes to reach out to around 10 million people in over one hundred countries in the period leading to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. To learn more about the SFT programme, please visit:
Sport For Tomorrow Website
http://www.sport4tomorrow.jp/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000047779.pdf
For information on previous SFT activities involving the Philippines, refer to the links below:
(2015) Philippine Sailing Association
https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/pressandspeech/press/pressreleases/2015/47.html
(2016) Table Tennis Association of the Philippines
https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/pressandspeech/press/pressreleases/2016/21.html