Olympic committees of Bhutan and Japan signed MoU

The two Olympic committees of Bhutan and Japan will focus on developing relationships in the field of sports; support each other in developing organised sports, including aspects of sport equipment and infrastructure.

A memorandum of understanding was signed yesterday in Thimphu between the presidents of the committees, His Royal Highness Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck and Tsunekazu Takeda. A press release from BOC stated that the MoU would mainly focus on developing amicable relationships in the field of sport, for the good health of both the countries, and maintain the principles of their mutual advantages, contributing to the preservation of peace and deepening of understanding between the two countries.

The agreement will encourage planned development of athletes and coach exchanges between the national sports federation of both countries for participation in bilateral and multilateral competitions and training. Both the committees will share international information on the Olympic movement and will support each other, the press release stated.

To give effect to the agreement, the parties will execute an annual protocol of exchange for each year. Each protocol will document intended activities to be undertaken during the forthcoming year.

HRH Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, at the signing, said Japan has always been helpful in Bhutan’s development and evolution into the 21st century. Tsunekazu Takeda said, “I hope this partnership agreement becomes a starting point for development of strong sports relationship between the two countries, as well as for the Olympic movement in both countries.”

He said Japan’s national training centre in Tokyo started operating in 2008, and comprises 14 different sport facilities. He encouraged Bhutanese athletes and coaches to visit the centre and have joint training with Japanese teams for judo and other sports like boxing. “It would be beneficial for Japanese athletes to take advantage of the high altitude of Bhutan for training in the highland with rich natural environment,” he said.

The president also said such opportunities and exchanges would improve the competitive level of athletes in the two countries.

Source: Kuenselonline