Ms. Kiyoko Ono, the former WGU chairperson, visited all venues where the World Gateball Championships and Asian Gateball Championships were held, greeted at the opening ceremonies, and deepened the mutual relationships with the local people involving with those tournaments. Through such activities, she indeed contributed to the development of gateball over the world.
Mr. Shinobu Shiikawa, the new chairperson, has a long career in the government of Japan. In addition to the WGU chairmanship, he holds other posts like the chairman of the Japan Center for Regional Development, the advisor of a private company and the visiting professor at a couple of universities as well.
The Board of Directors Meeting also approved the activity and financial reports for the FY2016, the activity and budget plans for the FY2017, and some amendments to the WGU regulations. As a result, the annual membership fee is reduced to US$300 a year from April 2018.
Asia Gateball Union also held its Board of Directors Meeting in writing, which approved Mr. Shiikawa to be the chairperson as the successor to Ms. Ono, the annual membership fee is agreed to be lowered to US$300.
