Ahead of J1 soccer team Sanfrecce Hiroshima's opening match at the new stadium that opened this month in Hiroshima City, an event was held to entertain supporters of their opponent, Urawa Reds.
This event was organized by the Hiroshima Sports Hospitality Committee, which is made up of volunteers from the Hiroshima Prefecture Tourism Federation and local companies, and was held in an underground mall near a new soccer stadium in Naka Ward, Hiroshima City. Momiji manju, a specialty of Hiroshima, were presented to Reds supporters and others.
A face painting corner was also set up, where fans painted soccer balls and other objects on the faces and hands of supporters using the Reds' symbol colors, red and black.
A Reds supporter in his 40s who visited from Saitama Prefecture said, ``I thought it would be a little difficult to walk around the city wearing the away uniform, but I felt happy because they treated me like this.''
Kana Monma of the Hiroshima Sports Hospitality Committee said, ``We want supporters visiting from outside the prefecture to enjoy the charm of Hiroshima, and after the game, we want to create a peaceful town where everyone can get along and have fun together, regardless of the boundaries of the team they support.'' I look forward to seeing a suitable sight."
The J1 opening game, which will pit Sanfrecce against the Reds at the new soccer stadium, will kick off at 2:00 p.m., and will be broadcast on NHK's General TV and simultaneously streamed on NHK Plus.