Top>>World News>>Gateball Summit 2010     Representatives of 14 countries and regions exchange information in Shanghai The Gateball Summit 2010, the first such summit of the World Gateball Union, took place at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Shanghai on Friday, September 17, 2010, the first day of the 10th World Gateball Championships held in the city. At the summit, representatives of the participating countries and regions gathered to share information in order to understand the state of the game of gateball overseas and generate momentum for future activities for its further spread throughout the world. There were a total of 25 participants representing 14 countries or regions - Japan, China, Hong Kong China, Chinese Taipei, Macao China, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Paraguay, the USA, Russia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, along with Switzerland who have just started playing the game. In the first part of the meeting, the 40th executive meeting of the World Gateball Union discussed amendments to the international official gateball competition rules as well as the organization of the next World Gateball Championships, and acknowledged that the event would be held in 2014, the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Japan Gateball Union. The second part of the meeting began with announcements on the current state of organization in the newest member countries and regions and on the future growth of gateball, which were then followed by a lively discussion until the close of proceedings. The current situation in each country and region and the future growth of the sport are shown on the right. 40th executive meeting of the World Gateball Union attended by Union officials of each country and region Deputy-chairperson Toyama (center) of the USA asserting his opinion All participants listening to a presentation on amendments to the international official gateball competition rules The summit was a valuable opportunity for representatives of each country and region to meet all together. Here the participants look serious as they listen carefully to every word Interpreters were provided for participants to ensure that discussions went smoothly Chairperson Ms.ONO Kiyoko Let the organizations of various countries and regions unite as the World Gateball Union to promote participation in international   Vice President Mr.GONG Ye Min China has 5 million gateball players. We have also nurtured junior players, and will focus our energy on participation at the Asian Championships and on developing female players. Chairperson Ms.LAU LEE Lai Fong To make the sport popular with all generations, not only the elderly, we should hold a variety of international competitions such as a world youth championships. Also, south-east Asia suffers heavy rainfalls so we need to build indoor courts there.   Secretary General Mr.LIN Chin Fu We would like the various countries and regions to cooperate by pooling their ideas for increasing the number of gateball aficionados worldwide, such as creating a Chinese language DVD explaining the rules of the game. President Mr.CHOI Tat Meng Bids are currently being made to host the 6th Asian Gateball Championships in 2012. If Macao is selected, we do hope many countries and regions will take part, and we will work to make the event a huge success.   Vice President Mr.TOUYAMA Katsumasa We are active in the Hawaiian Islands and Los Angeles, but the distances between them makes it difficult to liaise so we aren't growing as much as we'd hoped. We'd like to reach out to the Taiwanese and Koreans living in the States. Executive Director Mr.Gilon SMITH Our worry is that we can't improve our skills because of the lack of opportunity for international exchange. Partly for that reason, we sincerely hope many people will take part in the Australian Championships being held from September 16th to 18th next year.   Chairman Mr.HONDO Toru Our members are mostly ethnic Japanese, and 80% are second generation Japanese. To increase the number of younger members such as third generation Japanese, we need to make matches more interesting for people to watch. Chairman Mr.KIM Jin-Ok There are 250,000 gateball players in South Korea, and 20,000 official referees. Last year, we held 17 national competitions. In future we want to cooperate with everyone in Asia and the world to try to increase the sport's popularity even more.   Ms.SAKAMOTO Masako At present our ethnic Japanese members are getting older. In future we want to try to popularize the sport among the Koreans and Chinese who live in Paraguay. Mr.Shvayka ANDREY Gateball is a wonderful sport that requires teamwork as well as technique and strategy. We currently practice twice a week but want to increase the frequency and popularize the sport.   Mr.Ida Bagus ANTARA Gateball is currently played in seven districts, not only in Bali but also Java. There are plans to establish a Bali Gateball Association in the near future. It is planned to popularize the sport among Balinese children by promoting it in schools there. Ms.Evelyn R.CAJIGAL Gateball has grown in Manila and Cebu, and there are about 200 players there now. We want to popularize the game among local elderly people and retired Japanese who have moved to the Philippines.   Mr.David UNDERHILL Gateball is a great sport requiring team play and can be played between all generations from youngsters to the elderly. I would like to make it popular in Switzerland too, mainly with croquet devotees.