Okinawa Prefecture is Japan’s leading “basketball land”. However, there are not many opportunities for people outside the prefecture to know its origin. As the venue for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, the attention of Okinawa x basketball is increasing, and Nobutoshi Nikoshi, Managing Director of the Okinawa Basketball Association, who has been supporting the development of Okinawa basketball for a long time, There is a basketball ring in the city park, and what kind of background was there before it became commonplace for men and women of all ages to enjoy playing, why basketball is pervading Okinawa, and the world to be held next year. He talked about the cup.
“The match on a remote island made me feel strongly that Kings would do it.”
──Ryukyu Golden Kings is a representative of the current Okinawa basketball. When President Tatsuro Kimura first said, “I want to create a professional basketball team in Okinawa,” what did you think of it?
About 17 years ago, I first met Toshimitsu Kawachi, a bj league commissioner, who introduced me to “there are people who want to create a professional basketball team in Okinawa.” Therefore, Mr. Kimura not only talked about the reason why he wanted to form a team in Okinawa, but also made a video presentation of the image of the current Okinawa Arena from 17 years ago.
Therefore, I also gathered the directors such as the president and vice president of the prefectural basketball association and told Mr. Kimura, “Tell me your feelings.” Then I brought an iPad and explained it to all the directors from the image diagram and sound. The glaring spirit of “I’ll do it anyway” at that time was communicated to the members of the association, and my seniors told me to “help Nikkei,” and I decided to help the children of Okinawa. .. I was impressed with his passion from the beginning.
──In the first year of the team’s founding, you continued to lose. Did you have any anxiety there?
I didn’t expect it to be gorgeous from the start, but I felt that it could be so weak. I can’t think of it now, but when I play a game at the Okinawa Civic Gymnasium or the gymnasium in Ginowan City, even if the customer lays down and sleeps, the seats are still vacant. There was a time when one person had about 5 seats and was very rattled. However, it gradually took root in the area from there, and won the miracle league championship in the second year from the bottom of the district in the previous year. In the bj league, the number of wins was the highest in the end, and even in the B league, we continue to win the west district. Furthermore, with the birth of the Okinawa Arena, I think Mr. Kimura “has” it.
──Are there any episodes that made you feel confident that Kings could become a team loved in Okinawa like they do now?
When Mr. Kimura formed a team, he said, “It’s no good if you think of only the main island of Okinawa as Okinawa. It’s Okinawa including all the remote islands from Yonaguni Island to Daito Island, so I want children on the remote islands to support it.” I didn’t have it, but I asked him to hold a match on a remote island.
And in fact, he has held home games on Ishigaki Island for many years. When it was first held in Ishigaki, Mr. Kimura hugged me and said, “I kept my promise.” Although it costs a lot and reduces income, Kings took all the courts, rings and audio equipment to Ishigaki Island by ferry and played the match exactly as it does on the main island of Okinawa. I was really happy about that.
It is highly commendable that he did what he originally promised for the children of Okinawa. The strong team that won the league turned their attention to the remote islands, and by doing various things for Okinawa, everyone, including myself, got a high evaluation for Kings, and the match on the remote islands. Then, the feeling that “Kings will do it” became stronger.
“I want to let players in all categories play games on that court.”
──What are your thoughts on the birth of the Okinawa Arena, which is currently regarded as the most suitable for watching basketball games in Japan?
The Okinawa Arena was completed by the efforts of Okinawa citizens, Mr. Kimura, and the passion of everyone, and I am very grateful for the basketball in Okinawa. The creation of such an arena should be appreciated by the Japanese basketball world as a whole. However, the arena is not just for basketball, so I would like to make good use of it to further develop Okinawa’s economics and sports centered on the arena.
At the Okinawa Arena, the men’s Japan national team match has already been held. However, I want to play not only boys but also girls’ games such as W League. I also want to let players in all categories, from elementary school, junior high school, high school, college, working people to professionals, play games on that court. I want to create a chance for that.
Also, as the managing director of the Okinawa Basketball Association, I would like to show children on remote islands the games that will be held in the arena. And I want to make the Okinawa Arena a sacred place for basketball, and I want to make it a place where basketball players from all over Japan want to play at the Okinawa Arena.
──Please tell us your impressions of Okinawa Prefecture becoming the venue for the 2023 World Cup.
When I was a JBA councilor and said, “I want to do it at the Okinawa Arena,” the people around me cheered me, “I should do it more and more, let’s do it.” He said, “If adults have to sweat for their children, I can move as much as I want. If I can do it, I definitely want to do it in Okinawa.”
Before I knew it, I became the managing director of Okinawa prefecture, and now I am having a hard time, but the people of Okinawa prefecture, Okinawa city, and the Okinawa Tourism Convention Bureau are really helping me to hold it next year. Thanks to everyone, the prefectural basketball association has been selected as the venue for the World Cup. Anyway, we are all helping to make the next year’s tournament a success. We would like to create a system in which basketball fans such as volunteers can cooperate in the future, and make it a participatory World Cup.
──How did you feel when Okinawa was actually decided as the venue?
It was really like that. Perhaps not only will some NBA players be seen, but the American national team will come with NBA star players. A true world class representative may come to this small island of Okinawa. By sharing various wisdom with everyone, I would like to invite children from all over Okinawa, including remote islands, to show them.
For children and for the future of basketball in Okinawa, there will be great opportunities when we can focus on ourselves. I will do everything we can. At first, I was worried that such a big tournament could be held in Okinawa, but now that the Okinawa Arena is actually completed and I have various experiences such as the national team’s match, I feel like I can do it. However, since it is a big event not only in Okinawa but also in the Japanese basketball world, I feel the tension that failure is not allowed.
“I want you to experience not only basketball but also the various attractions condensed on this small island.”
──You have a great responsibility to hold the world championships, but what are your strengths in holding them in Okinawa?
The people of Okinawa have responded to various changes in the social situation, such as the change from dollars to yen due to the return to the mainland and the change of traffic from the right side to the left side. Like the Okinawa Summit, we have a history of doing big events so far. That’s why the World Cup must be successful and must be done. We will use the wisdom of everyone, not just those involved in basketball, to lead to success. And I would like to make the tournament so that players and fans from all over the world can feel “I’m really glad I came to Okinawa” by welcoming them with the warm heart of Okinawa.
──If the Corona disaster is over, basketball fans will gather from all over the world. What kind of place do you want to know about Okinawa?
In Okinawa, there is an event called “Uchinanchu Tournament in the World” that invites people from dozens of countries around the world who have roots in Okinawa from all over the world. I have experienced a lot of hospitality. And as “Sports Island”, a curriculum that you can enjoy, such as sports tourism (sports-centered tourism) recommended by the prefecture, has already been prepared.
I would like people who come to watch the tournament to experience not only basketball, but also the warmth of Okinawans, the unique entertainment and culture of Okinawa, the rich nature and resort areas, and other attractions condensed into this small island. .. We will create a program that allows you to fully enjoy these.
──What kind of form do you want to make the 2023 World Cup exciting?
When I think about success, I want to make it a property for children. And we want more Okinawans to know about the existence of the World Cup, not only for basketball players but also for the venue Okinawa City as well as remote islands. And make it a form that many people can participate in, such as by inviting volunteers and children. Later, everyone remembers, “I’m glad I played the World Cup at that time,” and I want to make it a tournament where I can leave something behind.
──Finally, do you have a message for basketball fans all over Japan? Also, what kind of place do you recommend for yourself, especially in Okinawa?
Okinawa is a hot area for basketball, and I think it comes from the Kings game, but I also pay homage to my opponent. In all, we welcome people from all over Japan and all over Okinawa with respect and enthusiasm. Therefore, I would like you to come and see the World Cup at the Okinawa Arena.
I would like to recommend nature such as the northern Yanbaru, Miyako, Ishigaki, and Kerama beaches. And I would like people from outside the prefecture and overseas to come into contact with the people of Okinawa when the corona disaster is over. There are many places where you can play normally, for example, the ring near the beach in Chatan. When shooting there, the children get together and try to do 2 to 2 and 3 to 3 together. There is such a culture in Okinawa. Play basketball while watching the beach in Chatan and go to Okinawa Arena. And how about visiting a natural heritage site, the beach?
Coverage cooperation = Sports Island Okinawa
