New Zealand Olympic Gala (1)

  Famous sports players, politicians are invited to join the New Zealand Olympic Gala 2019 on Oct 31. The event, held at the Hilton Tokyo, showcased New Zealand's ambitions for next year's 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
  The black-tie event was held in partnership with the International Sports Promotion Society chaired by Dr.Haruhisa Handa. Knows as ISPS Handa, it supports various sports events worldwide, including golf for the blind and disabled.
  John Key, Tony Abbott and Enda Kenny, a trio of political luminaries in New Zealand, Australia and Ireland, were in attendance. All of them are patrons of ISPS Handa.
  Athletic celebrities form New Zealand included 2000 Sydney Olympics rowing gold medalist Rob Waddell, who serves as New Zealand's chef de mission for Tokyo 2020, and 2016 Rio de Janeiro silver slalom medalist Luuka Jones.
  Besides, Zara Tindall, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, came with a dash of royalty. She is equestrian silver medalist for Britain at the 2012 London Olympics. 
  Dr.Handa expressed his idea on the transformative power of sports and explained his connections with New Zealand. He said he wanted to help after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and ISPS Handa sponsored the New Zealand Women's Open golf tournament to offer support through sports. ISPS Handa has also donated funds to New Zealand's Olympic and Paralympic teams. He said, "For us, the Olympic and  Paralympics are equally important."
  Mike Stanley,president of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) expressed sympathy to Japan over deadly Typhoon Hagibis and other recent weather disasters. He said, "We are nations that are joined by the Pacific Ring of Fire and we understand natural disasters and their impact on our communities." He understands how New Zealand and Japan are prone to earthquakes.
  Stanley and others in attendance expressed gratitude to Dr.Handa for his overall charitable efforts and backing for New Zealand.
  Grant Robertson, New Zealand's spots and finance minister, said, "Your contribution to sport to education and to humanity is incredible and in New Zealand we are extremely grateful for the contribution that you have made to our country."

A Shamisen performance during the New Zealand Olympic Gala 2019
at the Hilton Tokyo in Shinjuku Ward on Oct.31.



ISPS

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, Nov.12,2019）