January 8, 2003
First Kathmandu-Matsumoto Friendship Cup Judo Championship Completed
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This year's sister-city exchange between Kathmandu and Matsumoto City of Japan commenced with the first Kathmandu-Matsumoto Friendship Cup Judo Championship held on January 5th and 6th on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Multipurpose Martial Arts Center and the 32nd birthday of HRH Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev.
A total number of sixty-one (61) players comprising thirty-two (32) females and twenty-nine (29) males from Japan, India and Nepal participated in the championship. On the occasion, the
A class judo coach team from Matsumoto City provided judo training in addition to referee refresher training.
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On the day of the closing ceremony on January 6th, the Japanese judo players played a final match against India and Nepal. This was followed by the demonstration of kendo, the art of self-defense called "goshin" in Japanese and "iai", the art of drawing one's sword by the players from Matsumoto and Nepal.
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Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Kaminaga applauded the progress made by the Martial Arts Center within a short time establishing itself as a meaningful center of culture and martial arts in Kathmandu. He remarked that the center is a symbolic project of the friendship between the people of both countries with close collaboration and cooperation. Furthermore, he expressed his hope that it would play a significant role in strengthening the existing cordial relationship of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Mr. Shitaku Momose, the team leader of the Matsumoto delegation said the championship, held for the first time in Kathmandu, had been indeed an extremely encouraging achievement for the further promotion of judo in Nepal and promotion of sports exchanges between Japan and Nepal as well. Mr. Momose said he was very impressed and encouraged by the zeal of the Nepali coaches and players. For the further promotion of judo, he suggested providing relatively intensive judo training to Nepali players in Matsumoto to help them hone their skill in this martial art.
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