With the second typhoon of the season scheduled to tear through the region, preparations for the 2004 Otachimisaki Beach Soccer Festival went ahead with some trepidation. Luckily the Typhoon veered east and the weather forecast greatly improved, relieving fears that the event would be postponed.

The event was split up into a main division, as well as junior and women’s divisions. The main division included both a competition event, with the winner advancing to the national finals in Okinawa, as well as a friendship event that aimed to promote the sport through focusing on its most positive aspects of ‘fun, fitness and friendship.’

Representatives of Tanoura Town were involved in the organization of the event, and this helped with coordinating the environmental elements of the event, such as garbage separation and disposal. The town has initiated many of its own eco-activities and as a big supporter of beach soccer, combining the two is a natural progression.

GSA cooperated with organizers to maximize environmental awareness among players and spectators and to run various action initiatives. Despite earlier fears of a typhoon, the event enjoyed perfect outdoor conditions that couldn’t fail to impress on those involved the value of protecting our natural environment.

In addition to the GSA booth, RECYCL’art collection boxes (collecting old or unused sports equipment) were set out and a Recycle Flea Market held. Everyone involved was also encourages to car-pool when attending the event. Drinking and eating utensil ‘reuse/refill’ initiatives were promoted (known as the My Cup and My Hashi (chopsticks) projects) during the welcome party on the evening of the first day, and all the garbage produced was separated and disposed of properly.

In the competitive class event, perennially strong FC Esperanza advanced smoothly to the finals, facing Nakayoshikai, who had to fight tooth and nail to make it that far. Elevated to make it to the finals however, Nakayoshikai lifted their spirits and took a 3-1 victory to advance to the national finals in Okinawa in October.

We look forward to Nakayoshikai continuing in the tradition of Japanese beach soccer and carry the Ecoflag as ambassadors of environmental awareness. Likewise, as the fifth Otachimisaki Beach Soccer Festival drew to a close we can appreciate the event, not just as a sport, but as an important action for promoting a ‘high value, low impact’ society.