Solidifying Its Position as the Premier Brazilian School Sports Event Overseas
Kakegawa, April 20, 2024 – The JEBRA Japan 2024 – Brazilian School Games in Japan took place on April 20 at the ECOPA Stadium in Shizuoka, Japan.
The event saw the participation of 26 schools from nine provinces of Japan, with a record-breaking 1000 registered athletes. The stands were filled with enthusiastic parents, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
Undoubtedly, it marked the largest Brazilian school sports event outside Brazil, featuring competitions in five disciplines: athletics, chess, table tennis, soccer, and volleyball, with participants aged 6 to 17.
It was a sporting celebration filled with emotions, sweat, sacrifices, and joyous applause for victories, along with touching moments of disappointment for those who didn’t make it to the podium. However, the essence of sports prevailed – the spirit of competition, perseverance, and recognition of everyone’s efforts.
JEBRA kicked off with a parade of the 26 school delegations at the ECOPA Stadium, accompanied by the resonating beats of Wadaiko drums from Mundo de Alegria school, receiving applause from the vast audience.
Following this, under the guidance of Master of Ceremonies Fumio Almeida, who led not only the Opening Ceremony but also the event’s main highlights, speeches from dignitaries began.
During the opening speeches, the president of the organizing committee, Professor Márcia Rúbia da Rocha, highlighted the event’s spirit: “This is a moment of celebration, integration, and competition, where we come together to promote values of friendship, respect, and excellence through sports. In this event, which represents the union of different cultures, we have the privilege of witnessing the talent and determination of young Brazilian students and those of other nationalities residing in Japan. It’s a unique opportunity to demonstrate not only athletic skills but also values like teamwork, fair play, and overcoming challenges. I express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved in organizing this event – from tireless volunteers to generous sponsors. Without the support and dedication of each of you, we wouldn’t be able to hold this memorable event. Therefore, I wish all competitors good luck and give your best, always remembering the sportsmanship spirit that unites us. May this be a day of camaraderie, inspiration, and accomplishments. Let the sportsmanship spirit prevail!”
Brazil’s Consul General in Hamamatsu, Ambassador Aldemo Garcia, emphasized the importance of sports: “I would like to tell young athletes that sports can teach great life lessons. We should strive for victory, but also know how to accept defeats occasionally, try to understand the mistakes made, and strive to overcome them. Whether winning or losing, tomorrow is another day, and new challenges will arise in your lives.”
Wataru Ishii, Director of the Multicultural Division of the Government of Shizuoka Prefecture, spoke about camaraderie: “The number of Brazilians residing in Japan surpassed 220,000 last year, with 32,000 residents in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today, we have the participation of many people from other prefectures, providing an excellent opportunity to promote camaraderie.”
From Brazil, the message was conveyed by the Minister of Sports, André Fufuca: “I would like to reinforce the importance of one of the main sports events of the Brazilian community in Japan, the JEBRA Japan 2024. Brazilian students, do not miss this opportunity to participate in this event organized by the Hamamatsu Consulate and with full support from the Ministry of Sports. JEBRA aims to promote integration among young Brazilians residing in Japan, encourage sports practice, the love for sports and physical activities, as well as reinforce the social and cultural integration of our country. Let’s go for the game!”
The event’s oath was taken by former soccer player and current coach based in Portugal, Anderson Paulista, a special guest of JEBRA: “Athletes from Brazil and Japan, we solemnly swear to compete in JEBRA 2024 with respect, ethics, fair play, and full citizenship spirit. We acknowledge that we have the sacred mission of promoting, through sports, faithfully fulfilling its rules, discipline, and the traditional bonds of friendship between Japan and Brazil. So be it, for the honor and glory of sports and our sister nations. We promise, on behalf of all competitors participating in these games, to respect and abide by the rules governing them, to give our best, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sports, for the honor of the two countries, Japan and Brazil. Teachers, family members, and the community in general. Let’s strive for victory in the eagerness for success, but above all, let’s compete with the awareness that sports is not always about winning, but always about respecting everyone, whether winners or losers, because participating in this event is already, in itself, a brave and flattering victory. So be it, may the oath be fully fulfilled and, above all, respecting the main values that sports can instill, undoubtedly, honor and the tireless struggle for the best in us, which always places us in what is essential, the elevation of the human being and the valorization of the community and its people.
Present at the event were the Vice-Consul of Brazil in Hamamatsu, João Gilberto, the Vice-Mayor of Kosai, Mr. Noriyuki Suzuki, Councilor of the Municipal Council of Hamamatsu, Noritaka Tori, Director of the General Affairs Department of Kikugawa City, Keiji Nakagawa, Chief of the Citizenship and Self-Government Department of Iwata City, Keiji Suzuki, Director of International Relations of Hamamatsu City, Yoshikazu Matsui, Director of the Sports Promotion Division of Hamamatsu City, Hideo Matsuno, Head of the Citizen Collaboration Section of the Community Support Division of Kikugawa City, Yuzo Okada, Executive Director of Hamamatsu and Lake Hamanaka Ko Tourism Bureau, Tetsuya Kaneko, Vice President of the Brazil-Japan Exchange Alliance, Tetsuyo Kodama, Vice President of the Citizens’ Council in Hamamatsu, Eber Toyohashi.
The Brazilian national anthem was performed by Brazilian singer based in Japan, Roberto Casanova, and the Japanese anthem by Japanese singer Mika da Silva, moving the audience and bringing many to tears of longing for Brazil.
After the speeches and the opening of the games, the competitions began with Athletics on the ECOPA Stadium track, Table Tennis in the indoor rooms of the stadium, Chess, with a team of referees exclusively from Brazil for the event, also in the indoor room of the stadium, men’s and women’s volleyball in the ECOPA Area, with the presence of a Brazilian referee based in Japan, and men’s and women’s soccer on Grass Field 2.
Meanwhile, in the main event square, the Sports Show was taking place, one of the novelties of 2024, which showed the present audience a range of sports practiced among Brazilians in Japan, including Karate, Breaking Dance, Jiu-Jitsu, Capoeira, Sky Jump, Taekwondo, Aero Fight, Yoga, Muay Thai, Zumba, Kung Fu, Judo, and juggling show. In the end, there was the delivery of participation medals and prize draws offered by sponsors.
The food court also stood out, with many barbecues, sandwiches, and guarana sodas, juices, and sweets. IB Company, the event’s main sponsor, built a huge booth in front of the stadium entrance, where it was possible to enjoy barbecue skewers and sausage sandwiches, among other goodies. In the same square, several booths of the event sponsors, such as UNINTER – University Center, LP Staff, Hiro World, Diplomata, Banco do Brasil, Taiyo Corporation, Mundial Foods, Garoto Japan, and Shizuoka Kem Nishi Shinkin. Other sponsors included Aline Cakes, Avance Corporation, Shigoto, Car Shop, Cruzeiro do Sul Virtual, Kowa, Ueno Assessoria, Brastel Remit, Susuki Motors, and Zico 10.
The event was supported by the following companies: Ecojima, Help, Yorokonde, upStage, SS Drive Center, Brasil Eventos, Studio Honey Batista, Paula Kakihara, UniFill, Uniceib, Ajinomoto, Cristiane Nakamura, Spring, Brasia, Carlos Toyota Jiujitsu Team, Pure Beauty, Alternativa, JICE, Kazu Coffee, Arm Share Roastery, FJU Brazilian Jiujitsu UNIP, and Malupiay Event Hall.
JEBRA Japan is organized by NPO Sorriso de Criança with the institutional support of the Consulate General of Brazil in Hamamatsu, Consulate General of Brazil in Tokyo, Hamamatsu Citizens’ Council, Brazil-Japan Exchange Alliance, BBG – Asia, and IGR – Guimarães Rosa Institute.
On behalf of the Organizing Committee of JEBRA 2024 and NPO Sorriso de Criança, we would like to express our profound gratitude to all who made JEBRA Japan 2024 a reality.
We thank our sponsors for their generous support, local authorities, and governmental organizations for their commitment to the event, and the team of referees and guides for their dedication and impartiality. Special thanks go to the participating schools, whose enthusiasm and sportsmanship spirit contributed to the event’s success. We cannot fail to recognize the tireless work of the volunteers, whose commitment and teamwork were fundamental in all aspects of JEBRA. To everyone involved, our sincerest gratitude for making this celebration of sports, unity, and diversity possible.
For JEBRA Japan 2025, the organizing committee promises many novelties, which will be announced as soon as they are consolidated.
To access photos of JEBRA Japan 2024, visit:
https://jebrajapao.com/galeria
For more Press Releases from JEBRA 2024, visit:
https://jebrajapao.com/comunicados-a-imprensa
Press Contact/Press Office of JEBRA
For more Information:
JEBRA 2024 Website
Contact: jebrajapao@gmail.com
Tel.: 080-9722-8062
