5 elementary and junior high schools such as Sashi Elementary School in Karatsu City
In 2000, the hands-on on-site lesson “Tomorrow! School” was held at Sashiko in Karatsu City, inviting Shinji Negi (57), who was the captain of the Japan National Team for Wheelchair Basketball in the Sydney Paralympics, as a lecturer. The children enjoyed the competition and experienced the charm of parasports.
At Sashi Elementary School, about 40 third-year students participated. After Mr. Neki showed off driving and shooting in a wheelchair, the children experienced wheelchair basketball in a match format. In the lecture, Mr. Negi recalled that he had suffered a spinal cord injury in a traffic accident when he was in his third year of high school and was in a wheelchair and encountered competition, and called for “let’s create a society that supports people who take on challenges.”
Ota Iwamoto, a third-year student, said, “I was able to move more smoothly than I expected. When I heard that I had a car accident, I thought it was amazing to be in the Paralympics.”
On-site lessons are sponsored by the Paralympic Support Center of the Japan Foundation. It was held for 5 days until the 10th, in addition to Sashi Elementary School, Kitahata Elementary School, Kuri Elementary School, Karatsu Ichichu, and Karatsu Gochu. (Matsuoka Sodai)
