Thank you very much Mr. President!
President Jizhong Wei visited Sendai, one of the most affected cities, last Friday. The President laid a wreath at the memorial monument built at Hiyoriyama in the Yuriage district of Natori City in Miyagi Prefecture during his visit.Later during the day, President Wei paid a courtesy call to Mayor Emiko Okuyama at Sendai City Hall.
“I feel strongly convinced that the city of Sendai and the other municipalities damaged by the earthquake and the tsunami will recover from this disaster at an extremely rapid speed. The Japanese are highly creative and industrious. I hope they will be able to build a new future for themselves as soon as possible.” according to the FIVB President. He also added that “the global volleyball fraternity is constantly thinking of the city of Sendai”.
He also announced his proposal to hold an international tournament in Sendai next year with cooperation from the JVA.
Mayor Okluyama responded by thanking President Wei for the comforting and consoling words. “Volleyball is a sport that enjoys great popularity in Japan. It will be an enormous encouragement for us if the world’s leading players are able to visit our city, and I hope that this plan will come to fruition. I intend to do all I can to welcome participants to Sendai.” the mayor said.
To Read More about his visit, click THIS.
Our thoughts…
It’s great to know Japan is recovering well from the tragedy. Also, we’re very excited about the international tournament the President plans on staging in Sendai. President Wei’s visit means a lot to the volleyball fans in Japan knowing that the sport is very big and very famous in the country.
Side Dish: 2011 FIVB Volleyball World Cup in Japan is less than 4 months and preparations for the tournament are at full speed.The women’s tournament will run from November 4th to 18th while the men’s event will be from November 20th to December 4th.
(images: FIVB/ministori.wordpress.com)