First Cohort of the TOMODACHI – U.S. Embassy Go for Gold Sports Leadership Program Returns from the U.S. Trip

On March 13, ten Japanese university students selected to participate in the first round of the TOMODACHI – U.S. Embassy Go for Gold Sports Leadership Program returned from their training in the U.S. and gave their final presentations in Tokyo. The students were divided into three teams, each providing a presentation in English on “Management of Sports Facilities,” “International Games such as the Olympics and Inheriting Legacies,” and “Business Operations and Fundraising in the Sports Industry,” based on what they learned during their training in the U.S.

The presentations were well received by the participants, Japanese government officials, sports management industry representatives, and U.S. government officials in Japan, who provided feedback. After the presentations, an award ceremony was held to certify students’ program completion.

One of the participants, Yota Kishimoto, reflecting on the program, said: “I would like to contribute to the development of sports in the future. Through this program, we visited the LA84 Foundation in Los Angeles and learned from the many organizers of the LA28 event, and I was able to make connections with them. With these connections, I will move forward so that I can make it my career. It’s up to me from now on.