Table tennis equipment and apparels donated by the Japan Table Tennis Association (JTTA) through the ‘Sport for Tomorrow’ Programme were handed over by JICC Director Mr. Tatsuo Kitagawa to Table Tennis Association of the Philippines (TATAP) President Mr. Ting Ledesma on April 18. |
On Monday, April 18, 2016, the Japan Table Tennis Association (JTTA) — through the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan — officially turned over four (4) boxes of donation containing table tennis paddles, clothing, and other accessories to the Table Tennis Association of the Philippines (TATAP) in a ceremony held at the TATAP National Training Center, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila. Mr. Ting Ledesma and Mr. Nico Cawed, TATAP President and Secretary-General, respectively, led the ceremonies attended by JICC Director Tatsuo Kitagawa on behalf of JTTA.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Kitagawa posited the need to further develop sports as a means to promote friendship and goodwill between nations. On his part, Mr. Ledesma thanked the JTTA and the Japanese people for the donation and expressed confidence in the valuable impact of initiatives like this in advancing Japan-Philippines relations.
The donation was made through the “Sport for Tomorrow” Programme of the Japanese Government. 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 sports values across all ages, including the youth, 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; (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, including developing countries, in the period leading to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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