【Project Activities】

As a Tokyo Metropolitan Government project, a Girls’ U18 select team from Southern California was invited to Tokyo for exchange games and international exchange with a Tokyo high school select team.

【Project Background】

In cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, continuous international softball exchange projects are implemented as a legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics held in 2021 and the 1st Women’s U15 Softball World Cup held in 2023.

【Project Objective】

To promote and popularize softball, improve the competitive skills of junior athletes, create international exchange opportunities, and broadly promote sports among children.

【Project Area】

Education through sport

【Methods】

Athlete Dispatch and Invitation

【Outcomes】

Although the schedule was short and one day of games was lost due to rain, deep exchange was achieved through alternative activities. While limited to two games, the joint practice, Baseball 5, and cultural exchange created a wonderful international exchange, serving as a legacy continuation activity for Tokyo and LA as old and new Olympic host cities.

【Voices from Participants and Partners】

Both teams were highly satisfied. After the project, when the Southern California delegation was completing procedures at Haneda Airport for their return, several Tokyo team players came to see them off, demonstrating deepened international friendship.

【Challenges and Lessons Learned】

Many activities were included in the plan, so some parts of the preparation were incomplete. Additionally, the details of participants were not finalized quickly, requiring significant time to confirm the project.

【URL】

http://www.softball.or.jp/news/gem3-2024/report/1009.html