Prof. Dr. Zubaidullo UBAIDULLOEV Associate Professor, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan. International Cooperation and Peace through Sport in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia (Report of the business trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 7-10, 2017). From March 7 to March 10, 2017 I visited Riyadh, the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with my interest and initiative to promote friendly exchanges and cooperation between the Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba and Saudi Arabia in sport and physical education. It was the first official business trip to Saudi Arabia from Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS). The purpose of this business trip was: 1. To visit sport-related organizations, such as Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, King Saud University (College of Sport Sciences and Physical Activity) and Saudi Arabian Judo Federation. 2. To establish friendly relations with those organizations for future exchanges and cooperation. 3. To introduce Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba to the new and potential partners and collaborators in the world, especially in the Middle-East, where Japan and University of Tsukuba have a limited exchanges and cooperation in the fields of sport, physical education and physical culture. 1
I visited the following organizations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: 1. Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee. 2. King Saud University (College of Sport Sciences and Physical Activity). 3. Saudi Arabian Judo Federation. The meetings in these organizations were successful and conducted in the friendly atmosphere of mutual understanding. The representatives of different levels from these organizations expressed their interest and willingness to establish and promote friendly exchanges and cooperation with TIAS, University of Tsukuba and Japan in the fields of sport and physical education. Day 1: March 8, 2017 I visited the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and had some productive official meetings. Also, I gave a special lecture at the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee for the committee s staffs and representatives of the national federations of different sports. The title of my lecture and presentation was: University of Tsukuba: An open, transboundary and global university. I spoke about the history and achievements of the University of Tsukuba in science, technology and sport. I introduced the Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS) and Sport for Tomorrow (SFT) Programme of the Japanese Government in details. The participants gave interesting questions and asked about the international programs and projects at the University of Tsukuba, including TIAS programme in more details. I also had a nice meeting and discussion with Saudi National Federations Manager Directors and some officials of SAOC. Day 2: March 9, 2017. I visited the College of Sport Sciences and Physical Activity of the King Saud University in Riyadh. I met the leadership of the college. The meeting was meaningful and productive. We exchanged the views on future friendly exchanges and cooperation between the University of Tsukuba and King Saud University in sport, physical education and physical culture. After the meeting with the leadership of the college, I visited some of its facilities. Also, in Riyadh I visited the Saudi Arabian Judo Federation and had a productive meeting with its representatives. I informed them that the founder of Judo Prof. Jigoro KANO for 23 years from 1893 to 1920 was the Principal of the Tokyo Higher Normal School, which became University of Tsukuba in 1973. I had an opportunity to meet the Saudi Arabian Judo coaches and briefly introduced the Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS) and Sport for Tomorrow (SFT) Programme of the Japanese Government to them. 2
Some photos of the business trip to Saudi Arabia on March 7-10, 2017: 3
Prof. Dr. Zubaidullo UBAIDULLOEV delivering a special lecture at the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee. After the special lecture and presentation at SAOC with participants. 4
Meeting and discussion with some representatives of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee. 5
Prof. Dr. Zubaidullo UBAIDULLOEV with the leadership of the College of Sport Sciences and Physical Activity, King Saud University. 6
At the College of Sport Sciences and Physical Activity, King Saud University. 7
I had a chance to visit and see some facilities of the College of Sport Sciences and Physical Activity, King Saud University 8
Exchange and Friendship through Judo! I delivered a brief speech for the Saudi Arabian Judo coaches. I humbly delivered some small Judo-related presents to the Saudi Judo coaches, such as posters with picture of famous Japanese judokas and the files with picture and words of Jigoro KANO the founder of Judo. 9
With the Judo coaches of Saudi Arabia. I briefly introduced University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS) and Sport for Tomorrow (SFT) of the Japanese Government to the Judo coaches and Judo Federation of Saudi Arabia. 10
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At the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Olympic Complex 12
With the officials from the Saudi Arabian Judo Federation. 13
Prof. Dr. Zubaidullo UBAIDULLOEV promoting the Sport for Tomorrow (SFT) Programme of Japanese Government and Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS) in the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee. 14
My first official and business trip to Saudi Arabia was successful, meaningful and productive, thanks to warm welcome, cooperation and support of the leadership and staffs of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee. I sincerely thank the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and its leadership for warm welcome, kind and excellent hospitality, overall support and arrangements. I am sure, there is a big potential for Japan and Saudi Arabia to have friendly exchanges and fruitful cooperation in sport and physical education. I am positive and glad of the official visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Japan this month March 2017. I sincerely hope this visit further strengthens the friendly relations and cooperation between both countries in many fields, especially in sport. I am ready and always available to make my small and humble contribution for this purpose. This report is prepared and written by: Prof. Dr. Zubaidullo UBAIDULLOEV Associate Professor, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan. Coordinator, TIAS (University of Tsukuba) - Middle East Exchanges & Cooperation March 28, 2017 15