16th September 2016, Thimphu: The Bhutan Olympic Committee today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SEISA Group, Japan. SEISA Group, established by Mr. Yasuo Miyazawa in 1972, runs over 20 corporate bodies and over 70 educational institutes from kindergarten to university, covering the whole nation of Japan. Mr. Miyazawa has been a good friend to Bhutan for about 25 years and contributed to Bhutan through the Bhutan-Yokohama Friendship Association, Foundation for Global Children and SEISA University of SEISA Group.
The MoU was signed by HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, Representative of His Majesty and the President of the Bhutan Olympic Committee, and Mr. Yasuo Miyazawa, the Founder and CEO of SEISA.
The MoU is intended to support the preparation and participation of Bhutanese athletes and coaches in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Further, the partnership will also extend beyond the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games with a focus on the development of Bhutanese athletes and coaches in various sporting disciplines. In addition, SEISA will also assist the Bhutan Olympic Committee in establishing a Paralympic Committee, in-order for Bhutan to participate in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020, for the first time ever.
“Taking into consideration the potential of the sports to qualify for Tokyo 2020, we have identified a few sports disciplines where our Japanese partners can assist us. It is a very good opportunity for our athletes as they will be training at state of the art sporting infrastructures, under expert coaches,” said Sonam Karma Tshering, Secretary General of the Bhutan Olympic Committee.
The SEISA Group will offer scholarships, training and exchange programs for coaches and athletes. The Secretary General of the BOC stated that the signing of the MoU would help the development of Bhutanese athletes and coaches. “The BOC is very fortunate to have partners such as SEISA and will do everything in its capacity to ensure that our athletes and coaches benefit from this opportunity.” Sonam said.
During the signing, officials from SEISA reiterated that the SEISA Group would devote itself to assisting the BOC with its vision and goals, not only till the Tokyo 2020 Olympics but beyond that. Mr. Miyazawa stated that SEISA had already earmarked funds to support the BOC’s plans for the future.
“This sports partnership between our two organizations shall endure beyond 2020 and must contribute to the development of sports in Bhutan and the healthy development of youth in Bhutan, as well as, strengthen the already strong bounds that exists between the people of Bhutan and Japan” said Mr. Yasuo Miyazawa.
