JFA Hall of Fame Inductee

KANEKO Katsuhiko

Inductees Recommended by the Committee (Special Selection)

Born in Kanagawa on 30 August 1934

After graduating from Chuo University, joins TOKYO 12 CHANNEL (Now TV Tokyo) after working at Osaka Mainichi Broadcasting. A pioneer of “football play-by-play announcer” for over 40 years and in charge of “Mitsubishi Diamond Football” program.

The program starts with bouncy “Drum MAJOLET” theme music and his popular corny line of “Hello football lovers, how are you?”. With commentator Shun-ichiro Okano he introduces Europe top league information including FIFA World Cup with clear tactical analysis. Sole TV program which introduces less popular overseas football information, which acts “a window to the world”.

In 1974, first time that FIFA World Cup is aired live by satellite from West Germany, where Kaneko has a live for its final game. After retirement from TV Tokyo, actively founds “Office One-Two Return” and appears as freelance announcer, having lives of J-League and England Premier League games on private broadcasting, satellite broadcasting.

Reading and researching huge amount of documents, he prepares to give and accurate information according to game progress and phases. Actively travels for on-the-ground research including USSR and Europe away games in 1968, attaches his mind to deliver live information and the value of football through his words.
Awarded J-League Special Merit Medal in 2002.

• 
  ASAMI Toshio
• WATANABE Masashi