We are the champions

One of the things that impresses us about life here in Japan is the way that sport is encouraged from a young age.  Our boys are all into football.  There is a great set up here from the local teams right through to city-level training, prefecture-wide training and national-level training.  Since last year Calum has been involved in different levels of training and was chosen to become the captain of the team representing the whole of Sapporo in a tournament over the last few days.  Teams came from different parts of Japan, drawing in some of the best Under 12 players from their areas.  It all began as these things go with an official opening ceremony.  All the teams lined up and there were a few speeches along with everyone doing a fun warming up to music.  Near the beginning Calum came to the microphone.  He was the one chosen to give the opening greeting on behalf of the players and a vow that everyone would do their best.  He wrote it himself, memorised it and delivered it really well.  Then the action started and it was great to watch such a high level of play from 12 year old boys.  Calum's team did really well and clinched the trophy and winners' medals with a fine 2-0 win in the final. 

After that it was time for the closing ceremony and presentation of the trophy.  As captain, Calum came forward to receive a large flag for the winning team followed by presentations of various trophies and medals to each player in the winning team.  All of this was accompanied by the music of the hymn Thine be the Glory which is traditionally used here for victory in sporting tournaments.  Then it was the turn of the sponsors to give out their goodies - the boys received a boxload of things from cornflakes to cookies to bottles of juice and packets of Milo and cocoa powder!  Calum's team also got T shirts with the word Champions on the back.  It was a great few days and another fascinating insight into Japanese culture with all that goes into the different parts of the opening and closing ceremonies.  Of course at the start and end of each match too there is polite handshaking and bowing - at the end the players all run over to the opposing dug out and bow to the coaches and then do the same to their own coaches.  It is no surprise to us that football in Japan is on the up.  It is well organised, good fun and there is a great spirit among the children and the coaches.  Apparently one of the present Japan national team members once played in this very tournament.  Who knows - maybe we have seen over these past few days one of the future stars of Japanese (or Scottish?) football.