I visited Ishinomaki to see Ishinomaki Shinyo Kinko Cup held on 5 to 6 July at Ishinomaki City Sogo Undo Park – Fureai Tamokuteki Hiroba.

Ishinomaki Shinyo Kinko Cup is 35rd and traditional event in which all the boys sports team in Ishinomaki district participating. But I was sorry to hear Kadowaki sports team had to give up participation. This is because they couldn’t gather required number of players although they could hold regular training. Ishinomaki-shi Sogo Undokoen was the base camp for Japan Defense Force and volunteer for restructuring support at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The pitch condition is recovered and in the very good condition but there are many people who are still obliged to live in temporary house surrounding school.

It has been three years and four months since the earthquake, all sports teams in the Ishinomaki district resumed their activity. The playing condition is not in favor of football team because they have to share with baseball team, training in the gymnasium and cannot hold practice on weekdays but they are gradually securing the training ground. Sato, head coach of Minato FC, told me they resumed training on weekdays upon completion of restructuring construction of damaged Minato elementary school. I went to see Ishinomaki Minato elementary school where training takes place on 30 June.

Minato FC could not hold weekday training but they can hold training on Wednesdays for sure upon completion of restructuring construction. They used university’s ground on weekends but couldn’t use it if it rains. The ground was maintained but small pieces of glass and wood came to surface due to recent heavy raining. It was decided to renovate again and they can’t use the ground during that time.

Reconstruction work of Watanoha elementary school nearby is over, they moved to main school building from temporary school building. But as middle school’s reconstruction to be completed in three years 2017 (Heisei 29), they go back to temporary school building once they graduate from elementary school.

There is good news of building three pitches of natural turf next to Ishinomaki Sogo Undokoen in four to five years. But realistically speaking, many issues still remain to be solved as the improvement of facility doesn’t go as scheduled for middle school after the school activity.

Comments

ITO Takahiro, Block leader of Ishinomaki Class 4
Three years have passed since the quake. All the training ground and equipment were damaged in the quake. In the period when it was hard to secure the ground, people within and outside of Iwate invited our kids for playing football. I really appreciate it was helpful for Japan Football Association and Soccer family all over Japan for kindly giving us equipment.

Ishinomaki block is getting back to normal in terms of equipment and ground. But it seems it becomes apparent to see the situation where it is hard to work on football activity as the working environment change in trainer and parents involved in voluntary basis.

Especially, I am grateful for Mr. Teguramori’s regular visits to the club and region and he gives us motivation to support football kids. The need for the team suffered by the quake is changing in the phase, I feel it would be necessary to support mentally and consult individual problem more than ever.

SATO Kazuhiro, Head Coach (Minato Soccer Sports Boys Club)
Minato Soccer Sports Boys Club is class 4 club based in Ishinomaki city Minato district where damaged heavily by Tsunami of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Minato elementary school where our training base is, suffered tsunami and floors higher than second floor was evacuation centre and living areas for many of those who lost the House. It was discussion to dissolve the boy’s football club as the damage was so severe. But we managed to resume training thanks to American military force and many volunteers and supporter of boy’s football club for making temporary restructuring of school ground and gymnasium after victims moved to temporary housing.

But as there were many piece of broken glasses on the ground, we held training mainly in gym. In the year following the quake, we made a good performance for winning at Ishinomaki region competition and competition for clubs located along the road connecting Ishinomaki city and Sakata city Yamagata. After that we couldn’t use the school ground due to full reconstructions of the school, we were lucky to use the city facility and Ishinomaki Senshu University ground with courtesy of university, holding training in different ground every day. Number of players increased to exceed 40 now.

I have to express my gratitude for giving us huge support from people all over Japan, holding soccer school by famous players and giving mental care of the kids. And this summer Nagano Football Association class 4 invited us to Agematsu town and participated in the competition and town event. It was very meaningful trip as we were stimulated. I just thank Mr.Yasue of Nagaon Football Association, class 4 Chairman, supporting staff and people in Agematsu town.

Minato elementary school, our training base, completed reconstruction and we managed to resume training where used to be from May this year. And regional facilities are gradually getting back to normal. But we need to give mental care to the kids who lives in the environment usually look at devastated landscape and our staff has to make much effort for this. I would ask for your continued support is much appreciated.