【Project Activities】

The “S.C.P. Japan Mazekoze Football Festival” was held, with 50 people participating, regardless of age, gender, disability, or nationality.

【Project Background】

S.C.P. Japan is dedicated to “creating a future where everyone can live their own way through sports,” and this project was implemented as one of the initiatives to embody that philosophy.

【Project Objective】

This project was implemented with the aim of creating an experience where people with diverse backgrounds—age, gender, disability, nationality, etc.—can enjoy themselves together while respecting each other’s differences, using sports as a common language. Using walking football, which has rules that allow anyone to participate safely regardless of physical characteristics, the project aimed to promote exchange and mutual understanding through sports.

【Project Area】

Education through sport

【Methods】

Event implementation

【Outcomes】

– Creation of a space for diverse people to enjoy sports together: Participants from children to the elderly, with and without disabilities, male and female, from different nationalities, experienced walking football together under the “same rules.” The rules of “no running” and “no contact” created an environment where everyone could participate with peace of mind.

– Promotion of inclusive exchange: A warm atmosphere of mutual care and encouragement spread throughout the venue, with questions during rule explanations, cheering during matches, applause for successful plays, and goal performances.

– Realization of an inclusive society through sports: The event embodied the value of sports not in winning or losing, but in “meeting, connecting, and being your authentic self.”

【Voices from Participants and Partners】

“I enjoyed being on the same field with people, transcending walls of age, disability, and nationality.”-“The rules were easy, so I could participate with peace of mind even for the first time.”

【Challenges and Lessons Learned】

– While an inclusive atmosphere was created, it was also observed that some interactions ended with just “playing together,” and the relationships among participants did not deepen sufficiently. Securing time for icebreakers and dialogue is necessary to build connections.

– With a small operational team supporting diverse participants, there were instances where follow-up with some participants was inadequate.

【URL】

https://scpjapan.com/blog/archives/3806