| James Kon |
THE Japanese Government is ready to provide support and training for Bruneian athletes to better perform in the 2020 Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo.
The Japanese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Motohiko Kato also said he is hoping to see increasing number of Bruneian athletes to take part in Tokyo Olympics as well as the Paralympic Games.
In an interview, the newly inducted envoy highlighted, “The mission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is not only to conduct the Olympic Games but also to promote sports among all people in the society, regardless of sex, age, social background or economic status.
“Taking part in Olympics will mean a lot for not only national athletes but also the people of Brunei. I am certain that the Brunei team will be warmly welcomed by the Japanese people.”
The ambassador added, “On Tuesday, I will be meeting the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof to understand the strategies the Brunei Government are looking to focus on. And we are ready to give full support to Brunei to boost its Olympic hopes.”
The envoy said that Japan wants to promote Judo in Brunei, adding that for Bruneians to take part in Judo at the Olympics “it is vital to set up a Judo federation in Brunei Darussalam”.
Recalling some of the major sporting events that Japan has hosted for Brunei teams, he said, “Last year, Japan sent its badminton team to Brunei which was warmly welcomed by the people of Brunei and the royal family. His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office enjoyed the matches between Brunei’s national badminton and Japan national team.”
Meanwhile, the Japan Foundation Asia Centre and the Japan Football Association (JFA) hosted a training camp for the Brunei National Under-18 football team last month which according to Motohiko Kato has boosted its confidence level.
In May this year, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Japanese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam and the Japan Foundation Asia Centre conducted a Judo exchange programme dubbed the ‘Japan-Asean Jita-Kyoei Project’, the envoy added.
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