Uruguay gathered a lot of active people yesterday, in Canelones, for the Nanairo Ekiden event.
The Aikido Federation of Uruguay, member of IAF, joined the activities of the Nanairo Ekiden organized by Red Internacional Basquetbol Educativo, the Juan Salvador Gaviota School and the University of Tsukuba, on the 7th of October 2018, in Canelones, Uruguay.
“It was a pleasant surprise to see that even though there were a lot of loud expressing spectators, during the Aikido demonstration everybody turned quiet and paid attention to what was happening on the tatami.” said Lilamani de Soysa, from the University of Tsukuba, present at the event.
The Aikido demonstration was one of the featured sports together with basketball, baskin (adapted basketball), wheelchair basketball and zumba dancing, performed by the Uruguayan Down Syndrome Federation. His Excellency, the Japanese Ambassador Tatsuhiro Shindo, together with wife, watched the demonstration and the activities.
The Aikido demonstration, with the participation of Makoto Kikugawa Sensei, JICA volunteer in Uruguay, was added value to this inclusive educational event.
The Nanairo Ekiden is based on the traditional Japanese Ekiden race together with educational activities based on Olympic and Paralympic values: friendship, respect, excellence, determination, inspiration, courage and equality. It is an opportunity to share fun and friendship amongst nations as well as promote sport and physical activity for everyone – no barriers of any kind.
