Japanese athlete Iizuka Shota and his coach Toyoda Yasuhiro visited Bangladesh from 13th to 16th November, which was coordinated by JICA to to promote sports for all and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Japan and Bangladesh diplomatic relationship.

Iizuka Shota won silver medela in 4 x 100 meters relay at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics 2016.

On the 15th, they visited the BKSP (Bangladesh Institute of Sports) and joined the training with young Bangladeshi athletesfor one and a half hours.

During this session, Iizuka Shota demonstrated the example of the world' stop athlete, and Toyoda advised both athletes and their coaches.

Iizuka said, “I was fascinated by the vibrant atmosphere of Bangladesh” and emphasized.

“Looking at the smiles of students and the earnest of young athletes, I am reassured of myself that sports are the platform that can enrich livesfor all without borders,” he added.

For JICA, the Japanese development organization, sports promotion is one of its program's core pillars. In the last 50 years of its history in Bangladesh, a total of 1,284 volunteers known as JOCV (JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers) were dispatched in various fields, out of which 119 were assigned in sports field.

Ichicuchi Tomohide, Chief Representative of the JICA Bangladesh office said, “JICA is standing by the people of Bangladesh pursuing the quality growth of this country. We support mega-projectssuch as MRT and HSIA Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh Special Economic Zone, Jamuna Railway Bridge, and Matarbari Deep Sea Port but also do promote development cooperation through sports.”

During this visit, the Bangladesh Olympic Association hosted a reception for Iizuka Shota and his coach Toyoda Yasuhiro with the attendance of Mr. Syed Shahed Reza, Secretary General.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan