Special
GB Is Hot Abroad These Days
15 players, 18-75 years old, make a GB goodwill tour of Mexico, Cuba and Los Angeles
During the 13 days of December 5-17 last year, a GB promotion tour to Mexico,
Cuba and Los Angeles was held. The 15 members who participated were those players
who responded to an application for participants advertised in this magazine,
including runner-up in this years National Junior Championships, Female Class
1, Captain Kagawa of Shiki high school , 3 high school students, 1 college student
and enthusiastic coaches and referees from various prefectures.
We would like to introduce you to how the goodwill tour to the three countries
went along with a report on the first international tournament held in Macao as
well as an up-date on GB news form Singapore and other countries.
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Japanese players who participated in the 3-nation goodwill tour
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9 PE college students who are studying to be PE teachers |
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MEXICO
Sports-loving PE college students have a powerful GB experience
The goodwill exchange tournament held on December 7 last year was the only big
event to be held in Mexico since the international friendship tournament held
there in May 2001.
The venue was 2 natural grass soccer grounds of the Japanese School / Japan-Mexico
Gakuin. Among the participants were 9 PE college students studying education who
encountered GB for the first time. Many people connected with sports in the area,
including Mexico City's District Physical Education Supervisor came to observe
the event.
First of all, the history of GB, its present situation and competition rules were
introduced though an interpreter. This was followed by an explanation of basic
tactics with the Japanese players demonstrating these through a game format, followed
by man-to-man instruction and an exchange match. The PE college students sure
had a talent for sports!
They soon got used to the GB touch and it wasnt long before they were making
continuous "long touches"! After each "touch" a loud cheer
could be heard encouraging the young members to take a strong interest in GB.
After observing the event, those who came expressed an interest in GB as a means
to solve the problem of encouraging healthy and health promotion activities among
the young and old alike. Since many Mexican schools do not have very wide grounds,
a strong interest was shown in the possible use of GB since it does not require
much space. Various groups indicted they will give GB serious consideration. |
Players form each country joined together to form teams for the exchange match |
The expression after making a bad touch |
Players from both countries and the many observers |
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Participants' comments
My view of GB has widened
Nagisa Kagawa (3rd year student of Saitama Prefecture Shiki high school)
For me, who had never been abroad before, everything I saw was new.
What I remember most was when I lent a 7-year-old boy I met my stick. Once he
got hold of it, he had great fun hitting the ball. I felt I should try to show
as many people as possible how much fun GB can be, just like the little boy had.
I also felt I should never forget that feeling of fun when I play.
Until now, I had only thought of GB in relation to myself and those around me,
but this experience has shown me that through GB we can overcome the language
barrier and share many things. I am very happy I participated in this event so
I could experience this wonderful feeling. I would not like to end this tour with,
"that was great fun", I think we should try to ensure GB makes firm
roots through further GB exchanges. |
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Repeated precious experiences reawaken my awareness of the world
Yusuke Hukagawa (Chuo University 4th Year Student)
I'm a young fellow who started GB 3 years ago. I felt I would like to let people
overseas know that GB is gradually spreading among young people in Japan. That
is why I joined this tour. In Mexico, we instructed PE college students then made
teams with members from each country and played games. We took turns in hitting
the ball with the Japanese players hitting first setting up the play for the Mexican
players who played very well. In Los Angeles we played the San Diego team which
was 3rd in the World Championships and were easily beaten in a "perfect"
game for our opponents. The members read GB magazines from Japan and study GB
programs on video. I was amazed at their dedication. On this tour I was fortunate
to meet people of all ages and learn many things from them and observe many things
abroad all of which were precious experiences that helped to reawaken my awareness
of the world.
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Cuba
Number of GB lovers established with 3rd exchange program
Boxing champion joins in
In response to a request from the Cuban Sports Ministry two GB instruction programs
were held in February and August 2001. And because of this the number of GB lovers
has gradually increased. This was the third visit.
The venue for the December 10 visit was the same as the last time, a hockey ground
in Havana. Introductions were made. 14 Cuban members participated, all from the
hockey association as on the previous occasions. Among these were 10 members who
had received instruction twice before and have shown a strong interest in GB.
Early the following day technical practice was held after which members from both
sides formed teams and held a Japan versus Cuba match on 2 courts. What attracted
our attention was the concentration and dedication of the Cuban players on their
technique.
The accuracy of the experienced players was also noticeable. As a special guest,
a Cuban amateur boxing champion joined in. His presence and the interest he showed
in GB gave great encouragement to the Japanese players.
The Sports Ministry has indicated that it hopes to promote GB by inviting instructors
form Japan and hold an open international competition, and also showed a positive
stance toward joining the international union. |
The ball ran fast on the artificial grass hockey ground |
Special guest -amateur boxing champion |
Experienced players excellent ball control |
Cuban participants from all age groups, from the young to the old |
This overseas tour brought back the "beginner
spirit"
Tomoyo Harada
(3rd year student at Saitama Prefecture Shiki high school)
The goal of this tour was to teach GB techniques and how to enjoy GB to foreigners
by playing the sport with them. However, it was I who learned a lot.
In Mexico, we did our best to teach the basics of GB techniques and manners to
the Mexican participants through gesture and the interpreter. For many of the
participants this was their first encounter with GB. They got really excited every
time they passed through a gate. This made us very happy, too. We were asked many
questions.
This brought me back to my days as a beginner and brought back the "beginner
sprit" in me. Not being able to pass through the first gate in Cuba, and
being beaten from behind by the Los Angeles local team made me realize I have
to practice more. When I have improved, I would like to take part in a similar
tour again. |
Los Angeles
Exchange match with 73 members including, members of World Championships 3rd place
Diego team and inexperienced players
South California Association, with its base in Los Angeles, celebrated it 15th
anniversary last year. At present there are about 100 members, most of whom are
of Japanese descent. The famous Diego team which placed third in the7th World
Championships in 1998 is one of the association's members.
73 members including some from the Diego team joined in the exchanged match and
refereeing course held on December 15 last year. Included in the participating
members were a little over ten beginners who joined in to experience GB.
The venue was four natural grass courts belonging to the association at the Orange
Ball Park. Players were divided into 4 teams and played a league tournament on
the 4 courts. The Japanese players were divided into 3 teams. Between games the
Japanese found time to coach beginners. After lunch the referee course was held
focusing on gestures and refereeing practice using a mock game. The participants
seriousness was impressive.
At present, the South California Association is experiencing the same problem
as Japan - the aging of its player population. On this occasion, inexperienced
people were invited in the hope of encouraging younger people to join the association.
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73 participants in the exchange program, including inexperienced players |
League matches in the morning, refereeing course in the afternoon |
The welcoming dinner sponsored by the South California Association after the exchange
event |
Members of the Diego team which took part in the 8th World Championships in Japan
last year could be seen |
