From November 5th to the 11th, 2024, four high school students and one physical education teacher from The Royal Academy (Druk Gyalpo‘s Institute) in the Kingdom of Bhutan visited Japan. They participated in an international exchange program centered on track and field training.
Mr. Dinesh, a former 100m national team track and field athlete who proposed this program, studied at Royal Thimphu College (RTC) after retiring from athletics. After graduating, he worked as a physical education teacher. To raise awareness of the importance of physical education and exercise, and to support students' healthy growth, self-expression, and self-realization, he established an athletic club and currently coaches 50 club members.
The participating high school students were excited about the new experiences - their first time on an airplane, their first time abroad, and their first time in Japan. The students stayed at the SEISA Hakone Campus, which was used as a pre-camp site for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games and learned about the Olympics and the connection between the SEISA Group and the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Track and field training took place at Hiratsuka Lemon Gas Stadium and the Oiso Shonan Campus, in collaboration with SEISA University coach Mr. Kazuki Akizawa, SEISA Kokusai High School Shonan Track and Field Club's Mr. Kesete Habtesion, and the Athlete Society. In addition, members of the SEISA University Track and Field Club and the SEISA Kokusai High School Kamoi Track and Field Club also participated in the training, which not only helped them to improve their skills but also provided an opportunity for them to develop friendships with Japanese high school and university students.The visiting group also paid a courtesy visit to the mayor of Hakone Town, visited Hakone Sengokuhara Elementary School, and participated in the international exchange event "SEISA Africa Asia Bridge 2024." It was a valuable opportunity to wear Bhutanese national dress and experience the traditions, culture, and values of various African countries.
Through this program, we were reminded that the philosophy of FGC's founder Yasuo Miyazawa, "opening up the future through education and sports," will be passed on to the next generation of young people and serve as an important opportunity to create new bonds. We hope such international exchange will build further bridges and contribute to a sustainable future.
