”Sametetatsu” is ready to go!!!

Hello! My name is Hanano Inou, a sophomore in the Department of Disability Sciences, and I am the chief administrator of “TSUKUBA LIVE!” I was a little nervous to write this article before the big event “TSUKUBA LIVE!　サメテタテ” which will be held on November 23rd. I would like to briefly write about my involvement behind the scenes of “TSUKUBA LIVE!” and my thoughts on the event.

Transforming an “ordinary training ground” to an “extraordinary space”

Although I said that I’m the chief of operations, I’m in charge of designing the interior of the venue and plan the process of the preparations to make sure the event goes on without a hitch on the day of the event. That is still abstract, isn't it? The volleyball gymnasium (where this home game event will be held) is designed as a "place to play and practice volleyball," and is not a venue for hosting events. How can we secure a spacious area for the players to play comfortably, make the audience excited to watch the game, as well as take infection control measures into consideration? I actually ran around with a measuring tape in hand and racked my brains night after night. Where will we need the staff members who will help us on the day of the event, and how many people do we need? These questions were running through my head. It’s actually me “imagining the future (Moto of Tsukuba University).” This continues until the morning of the event and we add the finishing touches. …It’s okay, we will definitely transform the “Volleyball Gymnasium” to the “Venue for TSUKUBA LIVE!”

Previously at the “TSUKUBA LIVE!” Water polo home game event

Why someone from the Disability Sciences Department?

I have an ambition. It is to lower the hurdles for people with disabilities to watch sports and create opportunities for anyone to enjoy watching sports. I’ve been working as the venue planner since the home game which was held on March 26th. However, I realized that in most facilities / venues, “easy to visit” doesn’t mean having no “stairs” , “braille blocks” , and “multipurpose toilets.” To put it simply, there are a large number of issues that need to be addressed, such as the convenience of restrooms for people with disabilities, the issue of where to watch the game and evacuation routes, and so on. I'm still young and learning, but I'm working every day with the desire to propose new perspectives to “TSUKUBA LIVE!” and bring a new outlook to Japan from the perspective of disability and sports.

Lastly

I will get up early again tomorrow and do my best to make “TSUKUBA LIVE!” a reality that will make everyone who comes to the show a fan! We hope you will support us for a long time to see what we will do in the future. Thank you for your time reading this!