Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture, is an event where athletes and local residents participate and interact with people who have evacuated to Japan from Ukraine following the Russian military invasion, in order to deepen their understanding of each other's cultures through sports. was opened in
This event was held for the first time by the Japan Sports Association, and about 160 people participated, including about 20 people evacuated from Ukraine, Vietnamese people living in Japan, and local residents.
At the venue, the Ukrainian people first performed a traditional Cossack dance in red skirts and flower crowns.
Afterwards, the Ukrainians experienced familiar sports such as tug-of-war and relay relays with former Japan national football team member Daisuke Matsui and two-time Olympic gold medalist Judo athlete Ayumi Tanimoto.
Among them, in the relay using a large baton of about 2 meters, the Ukrainian team competed and even though they almost dropped the baton, they crossed the finish line in 1st place.
A 17-year-old man who evacuated from Ukraine in June this year said, ``I had a lot of fun, and I'm glad I was able to interact with sports even though I didn't understand the language.I was able to forget the hard things during this time.''
Yusaku Morioka, managing director of the Japan Sports Association, which hosted the event, said, "I think there will be fewer opportunities to play sports during the evacuation, but I would be very grateful if physical activity could help ease the pain in my heart, even just a little." I think it has led to international exchange," he said.