The Secretary General of the International Shooting Sport Federation, Alessandro Nicotra di San Giacomo, has travelled to Japan to meet with leading sports figures, admiring the development of shooting sport in the country.
His visit concluded with a meeting with the President of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), Seiko Hashimoto, who was also the President of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee. Accompanied by ISSF Executive Committee member Kiichiro Matsumaru, he presented Hashimoto with the ISSF Diploma of Honour in recognition of her support for shooting sport during her time with Tokyo 2020 and since, leading the JOC.
On behalf of the ISSF President Luciano Rossi who was unable to travel to Japan due to the conflicting ISSF World Cup in Ningbo, the Secretary General sent his warm regards to the Japanese delegation and his continued promise for cooperation under his leadership.
At the start of his three days in Japan, he met his Asian Shooting Federation counterpart, Secretary General H.E. Eng. Duaij Al Otaibi, in Tokyo to discuss details for the upcoming Asian Games in the country. From there, he visited the National Training Centre in the city. The ISSF Secretary General praised the Japan Olympic Committee for their integration in training between all athletes, including Para athletes.
His visit concluded with a meeting with the President of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), Seiko Hashimoto, who was also the President of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee. Accompanied by ISSF Executive Committee member Kiichiro Matsumaru, he presented Hashimoto with the ISSF Diploma of Honour in recognition of her support for shooting sport during her time with Tokyo 2020 and since, leading the JOC.
On behalf of the ISSF President Luciano Rossi who was unable to travel to Japan due to the conflicting ISSF World Cup in Ningbo, the Secretary General sent his warm regards to the Japanese delegation and his continued promise for cooperation under his leadership.
At the start of his three days in Japan, he met his Asian Shooting Federation counterpart, Secretary General H.E. Eng. Duaij Al Otaibi, in Tokyo to discuss details for the upcoming Asian Games in the country. From there, he visited the National Training Centre in the city. The ISSF Secretary General praised the Japan Olympic Committee for their integration in training between all athletes, including Para athletes.
Mr. Nicotra di San Giacomo and Matsumaru San with Yasumasa FurouMr. Nicotra di San Giacomo and Mr. Matsumaru would then visit President of the Japan Clay Target Shooting Association, Yasumasa Furou, providing him with the Diploma of Honour for his services to shooting sport. He awarded the same diploma to the Head of International Affairs at the Japan Rifle Shooting Sport Federation, Utako Sasaki.
The ISSF Secretary General would then visit the Japan Rifle Shooting Sport Federation Junior Cup Rifle/Pistol, where he spoke with some of the country's rising stars in shooting sport. He wished good luck to all competitors in a speech in Saitama.
The ISSF Secretary General would then visit the Japan Rifle Shooting Sport Federation Junior Cup Rifle/Pistol, where he spoke with some of the country's rising stars in shooting sport. He wished good luck to all competitors in a speech in Saitama.
ISSF Secretary Alessandro Nicotra di San Giacomo with Kiichiro Matsumaru and Japan youth
Alessandro Nicotra di San Giacomo with athletes and Para athletes during his visitMr. Nicotra di San Giacomo said: "I am honoured to be here in Japan, and I extend my deepest gratitude to the Japanese Shooting Federation and President Matsumaru San for their forward-thinking and positive vision for the sport's growth.
"I have been deeply impressed by the dedication and passion of both the athletes and organisers, which are truly inspiring. I am excited about Japan's potential to become a protagonist in the world of shooting sport.
"As a former Olympic coach, I would like to offer you some advice: during your career as an athlete, there will be both good days and bad days. Believe me, the bad ones often are more than the good ones, but never forget that you are working towards a specific dream: the Olympic Dream. Today's results, whether good or bad, are just a single brick in the wall you are building to achieve your dream. You represent the future of this sport, our future, and we are working hard to build a fair and inclusive sport for you."
"I have been deeply impressed by the dedication and passion of both the athletes and organisers, which are truly inspiring. I am excited about Japan's potential to become a protagonist in the world of shooting sport.
"As a former Olympic coach, I would like to offer you some advice: during your career as an athlete, there will be both good days and bad days. Believe me, the bad ones often are more than the good ones, but never forget that you are working towards a specific dream: the Olympic Dream. Today's results, whether good or bad, are just a single brick in the wall you are building to achieve your dream. You represent the future of this sport, our future, and we are working hard to build a fair and inclusive sport for you."