On August 25th, we are one year away from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, which will take place in August 2023.
Therefore, in Okinawa, the host city of Japan, various events were held to commemorate the year before.
■ August 25 Tissot countdown clock launch
The Tissot countdown clock was launched at Tenbusu Plaza in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, the earliest of the three host countries.
At the Tissot countdown clock launch, FIBA Japan Organizing Committee President Hiroko Mitsuya, from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Venue Support Council Okinawa Mayor Sachio Kuwae, Naha Mayor Mikiko Shiroma, Ginowan Mayor Masanori Matsukawa, and Masashi Watakuchi Chatan The town mayor, Tsugukichi Miyagi, Director of Okinawa Prefecture Culture, Tourism and Sports, Swatch Group Japan Co., Ltd. President Heidi Shu, Okinawa Arena Co., Ltd. President Junichi Yasunaga, Tokyo 2020 Women’s Basketball Representative Evelyn Mauka, etc. We celebrated the year before the tournament with the unveiling of the countdown.
Before the unveiling of the Tissot countdown clock, a modern version of Kumiodori team performed a dance, and Okinawan-style auspicious lion dances and prayer songs were also performed for the success of the tournament.
After the ceremony, Chairman Mitsuya and Evelyn held a World Cup talk show, and Evelyn said about the World Cup being held in Okinawa, “This is an incident! I want you to know about it,” commenting, making the venue a lot of excitement.
This countdown clock is scheduled to be installed until the end of the tournament, and you can freely take pictures at any time for one year.
■August 27, 1 year ago event in Okinawa City
At the “One Year Ago Event in Okinawa City” held in Koza Music Town, Okinawa City, Mayor Kuwae of Okinawa City gave a greeting, followed by performances of dance and Eisa from the host countries, the Philippines and Indonesia. An opening ceremony suitable for celebrating the previous was held.
After the opening ceremony, a talk show was held by former Ryukyu Golden Kings players, and Mr. Tsubasa Yonamine, Mr. Yasufumi Sawamine, and Mr. Yoshicho Yamashiro took the podium and spoke about the world’s top players coming to Okinawa City. I want you to see the top players in person at the venue.It is rare to see not only the play on the court, but also the warm-up state and the state of the top players off the court. I would be happy if it was an opportunity for us to feel various things.”
In addition, the “Skills Challenge Tournament” was held as a participatory event that greatly excited this event.
In the Skills Challenge, which was held for each category from elementary school students to adults, participants competed to see who could clear the prepared course the fastest by dribbling, passing, and shooting.
The top 3 in each category will receive a pair of tickets for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asia Regional Qualifier Window 4 held at Okinawa Arena on August 30, giving an impression of the participants taking on the challenge seriously. It was a target.
In addition, in Okinawa City, Koza Music Town Hall was decorated with a large triple curtain, and a wrapping bus with the design of the World Cup was circling around the city. I was.
■August 28 One Year To Go Festival
At Onoyama Park in Naha City, you can enjoy basketball during the day with the theme of “Let’s enjoy basketball”.One Year to GO Festivalwas held. A 3-a-side basketball court appeared in Onoyama Park, and everyone from small children to adults could be seen enjoying basketball with the official tournament ball.
Various events were held at the event, and the highlight of the event was a three-on-three basketball showcase by top players.
I was able to see the powerful play from a close distance, and cheers went up for the brilliant play of the players.
In addition, there will be a jump-in project “1he1Challenge” isIt was held as a surprise project to challenge whether a player can score a shot, and as an opportunity that can only be experienced at this event, the venue was excited as the general public boldly challenged the top three-person basketball players. rice field.
In addition, there will be a kids clinic by Mr. Tsubasa Yonamine, head coach of the Ryukyu Golden Kings U18, a participatory event, 12-second shoot challenge, and a comedy stage show by local comedians, so that visitors can enjoy the whole day. It was an event full of
In addition to stage events, the Kids Play Zone will feature a bubble tower, a FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 introduction booth, a coloring booth for the official mascot of the tournament, JIP, and a sanshin experience so that small children can experience the fun of throwing a ball. Booths were set up at the venue.
In addition, free shaved ice was prepared for children so that they could enjoy the event in hot Okinawa for a long time.
It was very impressive to see how everyone from adults to children who participated in the event couldn’t wait for the World Cup to be held next year.
We will continue to hold various events for the tournament! Please come and visit us at the venue.
■ Tournament ticket information
And the 2DayPass, which is the second ticket for the tournament, is now on sale!
Get a ticket to see all 8 teams coming to the Okinawa group phase, and be sure to watch the World Cup next year at the Okinawa Arena!
Click here for ticket information ▽
