Arab News Japan

ABU DHABI: Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) announced the completion of the UAE-Japan Table Tennis Training Program, held from Feb. 1-7, in collaboration with Special Olympics UAE.

This initiative brought Japanese table tennis coaches and athletes to the UAE to train and interact with Emirati athletes of determination, with developmental and intellectual disabilities, fostering skill development and international sports cooperation.

Organized as part of JICE’s ongoing efforts in education and human resource development, this program was conducted under the sponsorship of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

The collaboration with Special Olympics UAE (SOUAE) aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10, which aims to reduce inequalities and promote inclusivity through sports.

In January 2023, JICE hosted the Special Olympics UAE’s Women’s Unified Football Team for a training camp in Japan, preparing them for the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, and vice versa, the Special Olympics UAE also hosted Japanese Women’s Unified Football Team for a training camp in the UAE in December 2023.

During the week-long training camp, a delegation from Hirano Table Tennis Center, led by Coach Mariko Hirano, mother of Miu Hirano, two-time silver medalist in the Women’s Team Table Tennis at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, along with Coaches Sho Maizuru, Kaisei Mizuno, and Athlete Ako Hirano, a younger sister of Miu Hirano, conducted specialized coaching sessions at major People of Determination Sports Clubs and Centres in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman.

The training included one-on-one coaching, group drills and exhibition matches, allowing UAE athletes to enhance their technical skills while experiencing high-level coaching from Japan.

Coach Mariko Hirano said it was “exciting to see athletes in the UAE play table tennis together.”

“I hope they continue pushing themselves forward every day—not by comparing themselves to others, but by striving to be better than they were yesterday. I also hope that table tennis serves as a bridge for them to connect with people from all over the world,” she added.

Hassan Lootah, an athlete from Dubai Club for People of Determination, expressed his appreciation for the Japanese delegation, saying: “It was such an honor to receive coaches and fellow table tennis athletes from Japan in the UAE. We learned valuable techniques and, more importantly, enjoyed the experience of playing together and sharing our passion for the sport.”

By sharing coaching expertise, exchanging training methodologies, and fostering deeper sports engagement, JICE and its partners said they aim to “create more opportunities for UAE athletes of determination to compete and train internationally.”

Tokuya Kanamori, Managing Director of the JICE Abu Dhabi Office, commented on the significance of this initiative, explaining that sports has the “power to unite people beyond borders and abilities.”

“We are honored to bring Japanese expertise to support UAE’s inclusive sports movement. This program is a step toward strengthening the friendship between Japan and the UAE through sports and empowering athletes of determination to reach new heights,” Kanamori said.