JFA Hall of Fame Inductee

OHATA Nozomu

Inductees Recommended by the Committee (Special Selection)

Born in Kyoto on 25 November 1930

First plays football at the old Seijo High School (now equivalent to junior high school), before going on to play at the new Seijo High School and Jikei University School of Medicine.
Studies and works at the university's Department of Orthopedic Surgery, before becoming professor in 1984. Sets up the first ever sports outpatient clinic for a Japanese university of medicine at Jikei University's Wellness Medicine Centre the following year, and is appointed both as head of this centre and as professor of sports medicine in 1993. Becomes guest professor at Jikei University School of Medicine in 1996.

Starts medical work within the JFA in 1964, and serves as the Japanese national team's first team doctor at the 6th Asian Games in 1970. Continues to accompany the national team for around ten years, and builds a structure to provide medical feedback within sporting environments. Appointed as the first ever team doctor for a Japanese club at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Football Club in 1971, and sets up the JSL Team Doctors' Council in 1974. Becomes chair of the JFA Sports Medicine Committee in 1977 (serving until 1998), where he instils the importance of medical care within Japanese football – founding the Football Medical Science Study Group and the Sports Doctors' Seminar, and introducing doping controls to the J. League in 1995. Works with CAF to jointly host a sports medicine seminar in Pretoria, South Africa in 1996, and contributes to the Japanese bid for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Supervises medical administration and doping controls at FIFA World Cups (five consecutive tournaments from Italia '90), AFC Asian Cups, and other major international tournaments as a member of the FIFA Sports Medicine Committee (1982-2006) and chair of the AFC Medical Committee (1983-2002; member from 1979). Presented with special award by FIFA upon his retirement in 2006, in recognition of his many achievements. Hosts a number of sports medicine meetings and seminars throughout Asia, starting with the first Asian Conference of Science and Football Medicine (Tokyo) in 1995 – his contribution to the spread and improvement of sports medicine in Asia sees him become known as "the father of Asian sports medicine". Receives AFC Distinguished Service Award in 1992 and 2002.

• 
  NAGANUMA Ken
• OKANO Shun-ichiro