In order to resolve common challenges affecting major cities, Asian capitals and major cities are working together on joint projects. In this issue, we introduce Asia Junior Sports Exchange Games 2010.

In the eight days from August 23rd (Mon.) to 30th (Mon.), the Asia Junior Sports Exchange Games 2010 was held in Tokyo. The objective of the games is for junior athletes to improve their skill and spirits through competition while building mutual understanding that transcends nationality, contributing to character and health that will last throughout their lives. In the 4th exchange games, around 300 participants from 16 Asian cities competed, taking part in the badminton and judo exchange matches that were also held last year. Additionally, with cultural exchange visits to local high schools and instruction by an Olympic medalist, the event contributed to Asia’s cultural mutual understanding and competitive strength.

Described below are Sepak Takraw exhibition match and the cultural exchange program.

In addition to the judo and badminton matches, an exhibition Sepak Takraw match was held between players from Bangkok and Japan. Sepak Takraw is a sport that originated in Southeast Asia, using the same court used for badminton, but where players use only their feet like soccer to compete with a ball similar to a volley ball. Although junior athletes, the competitors played a powerful match true to the national players, showing their high level of skill clearly, even to those seeing the game for the first time.

Sepak Takraw match

Athletes from Bangkok and Japan

In the cultural exchange program, participating cities split into groups to visit Tokyo high schools, experiencing Japanese culture through school clubs and other programs. We visited Sumidagawa High School, where judo competitors from Singapore and Astana (a capital city in Kazakhstan) mingled with the students and experienced the traditional tea ceremony, origami, calligraphy, and kendo.

Tea ceremony

Origami experience

Members of the tea ceremony club treated all the visiting athletes to tea. With some showing surprise at the taste of their first green tea, and another remarking that the tea had the flavor of seaweed, there were a variety of reactions. Thanks in part to the bitter flavor of the tea, everyone was fond of the Japanese confectioneries accompanying it.　It seems that in Singapore, people eat chestnuts at the start of the new year, so many of the athletes were pleased to see chestnut-shaped sweets among the confectioneries. Upon seeing the traditionally-clothed members of the tea ceremony club, many of the female athletes commented that they’d like to try on such cute attire themselves. Everyone eagerly helped themselves to second helpings of the tea and confectioneries while enjoying the tea ceremony.

For the origami experience, each visiting athlete teamed with a student to make balloons, cranes, and other objects from origami paper. After watching an explanation of the process together, the Japanese students clearly explained the method to the athletes. Since the athletes from Astana mainly spoke Russian, there were some difficulties in communication with the Japanese students, however using simple English words and gestures they were able to communicate effectively. All the athletes were delighted to be able to take their creations home with them at the end. 　The athletes all seemed as if they will hold fond memories of their opportunity to gain a rare experience with Japanese culture.

The games featured players conversing in English, Russian, Thai, and Viet Namese languages. However, with the use of gestures they eagerly made communication, easily overcoming the language barrier, and the sight of athletes cheering for exchange matches featuring other cities was very memorable. The fact that through this program the athletes naturally worked to understand one-another despite the difficulties of verbal communication shows the depth of meaning the games hold.

We give our best wishes to all the athletes who took part in the games.