Japan Rugby Football Union, a part of the “Impact Beyond 2019” and “Asian Scrum Project”, cooperated in the invitation program for the Japanese Government-sponsored exchange program “JENESYS 2019”. An international exchange program through rugby and wheelchair rugby was held for 8 days from November 19th (Tuesday) to November 26th (Tuesday) for 17 rugby and wheelchair personnel.

(Overview)
Period: November 19 (Tuesday)-November 26 (Tuesday) 2019

Participants: Indian rugby players, coaches, referees 14 people
Indian wheelchair rugby player, 3 instructors
Rugby India GM Nasser Hussain

Places to visit: Doshisha University, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School, Nippon Foundation Para Arena, Panasonic Center Tokyo

[Schedule]
November 19 (Tuesday) Arrive in Japan
November 20 (Wednesday) Doshisha University visit
November 21 (Thursday) Kyoto sightseeing
November 22 (Friday) Meeting with JICA / JRFU officials, a visit to Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School rugby team
November 23 (Saturday) Asakusa sightseeing, meeting homestay families (for non-wheelchair group) and Wheelchair group meeting with President of Fukuoka Dandelion and TERREUS Co., Ltd., Techinical Manager, Kei Miyama
November 24 (Sun) Spending a day with homestay families (non-wheelchair group), Visit to Nippon Foundation Para Arena, practice with Tokyo Axe and tour to Panasonic Center Tokyo (wheelchair club)
November 25 (Monday) Report Session
November 26 (Tuesday) Return to India

Among the participants, there were students of Hiroki Tokutake who was dispatched to India from 2016 to 2018 as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers as well as the players and coaches who participated in the India-Sri Lanka Friendship Match held in 2018 with the project of Sports for Tomorrow.
Doshisha University is also planning to send students to India in January 2020 through a collaborative program with JICA.
It was a good opportunity for both parties to learn about each others’ situation and how to move forward from this point onward especially for wheelchair group. It is our best interest to keep building our relationships through opportunity like this.

Activity report of former member, Hiroki Tokutake
https://en.jrfu-asianscrum.jp/wp/2018/06/06/other/pastnews/225/

India-Sri Lanka Friendship Match Implementation Report
https://en.jrfu-asianscrum.jp/wp/2018/07/04/other/pastnews/217/

Comment from wheelchair rugby player, Gajendra

It was a great time to come to Japan for the first time and learned about wheelchair rugby practice methods and techniques, and the importance of being discipline and be on time.
I am looking forward to sharing my experience with my friends upon my return. I was also surprised by the facilities of the hotel and the vehicle, which I could spend comfortably in a wheelchair. Thank you very much to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JRFU, Japan AFS Association, and Japan Wheelchair Rugby Federation (JWRF).