ISPS Handa Watch World Cup (2)

   Faldo said athletes want to improve people's lives by giving something back to those who struggle.

   After his second-day round, He said, "We feel very fortunate from our careers but we also, (as) sportsmen, are very powerful because we saw last week in the rugby how sport can bridge divisions in countries, political divisions or race divisions." He added that drinking clean water,breathing fresh air and eating a decent meal should not be a luxury, and that that should be just standard on this planet, and for billions of people that really is a luxury.

   Rugby luminaries joining the event included Francois Pienaar, who captained South Africa to the championship in 1995, a feat immortalized in the Clint Eastwood-directed film "Invictus" starring Matt Damon as Pienaar and Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela. 

   Pienaar, elated at South Africa's 2019 RWC championship, praised a "magnificent" comments by Siya Kolisi, the country's first black rugby captain, who in his post-victory interview described how the team of different races and backgrounds united to win. 

   Pienaar said at diner after the first day of the tournament, "We all have differences, but if we work together for a greater good the world will be a better place."

   Dr.Handa,who admires Mandela also cited South Africa's 1995 rugby win for its contribution in helping overcome the divisions of apartheid and as an example of the transformative power of athletic endeavor. 

   He said "Truly, sports unites the people, sports unites the nations."

   Ko from New Zealand said, "Handa and his organization do an incredible job of showing the power of sports and getting people into sports whether they have disabilities or not." She also praised ISPS Handa's support for the New Zealand Olympic Committee and other efforts in her country.

   Argentine pro golfer Emiliano Grillo sad he is so inspired by ISPS Handa's charitable activities that he plans to set up his own foundation in the future. Grillo said,"Hopefuly, one day it will be a huge thing. I have many, many ideas." 

The ISPS Handa Watch World Cup participants
at Taiheiyo Club Gotemba West
on Nov.4


ISPS

    

   (source: THE JAPAN TIMES, Nov.19,2019）