On the 19th, Hiroki Sakai, who finished the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, paid a courtesy visit to Saitama Prefectural Government and Saitama City Hall together with Atsushi Tokari, Head of Football Headquarters.

First, they visited the Saitama Prefectural Government Office, where they paid courtesy calls on Masafumi Takeuchi, Vice-Chair of the Saitama Prefectural Assembly, Eijiro Miyazaki, Chairman of the Association for the Promotion of Soccer, Masahide Moroi, Secretary-General, and Kuniaki Saito, Secretary-General.



General Manager Togari said, “I think the FIFA World Cup has become Urawa Reds tournament that makes the world feel the wonder of sports and the greatness of soccer. I would like to fight with all my strength so that I can give courage and strength." Vice-Chairman Masafumi Takeuchi said to Sakai, "Thank you for delivering such a great impression. Football moves people's hearts. I felt once again that he has great power.I hope that Sakai will continue to play an active role and give dreams and hopes to the children of this prefecture.”

Sakai said, "It's all because of everyone's support, but it's frustrating because we didn't reach our goal of reaching the top 8. As a player, we're never satisfied, and all Japanese players will make it to the top 8 in four years. I want to do my best with Urawa Reds, and I want to do my best to win as many titles as possible.” spoke with enthusiasm.

After that, Sakai presented the prefectural assembly with the uniform of the Japanese representative, and the prefectural assembly presented Sakai with a Daruma, the mascot of Saitama Prefecture, "Kobaton".



Next, they visited the governor's office and paid a courtesy visit to Saitama Governor Motohiro Ono. Sakai said, "The people of Japan were excited, and I feel that we can't keep this up. I will continue to play hard and do my best to keep producing results. I will be happy again next year. I will do my best to be able to report, so please look forward to it."



When Sakai presented Governor Ono with the uniform of the Japanese national team, Governor Ono said, "Thank you for giving us so many dreams. The 7.33 million Saitama citizens are excited about Sakai's success. Thank you for showing us, and thank you for giving us a lot of courage while the Japanese people were looking down due to the corona crisis.Many people remember your success in the ACL (AFC Champions League). I would be very happy if you could do well in the finals and give us a good report.” He also said, “It is the happiest animal in the world,” which is raised and exhibited only in Saitama Prefecture, outside of its habitat in Australia. I received a stuffed quokka that is said to be.



Sakai's comments after his courtesy visit to the Saitama Prefectural Government Office are as follows.

[Hiroki Sakai]
(What is your message to the people of Saitama Prefecture?)
"It was hard to feel the excitement of the Japanese people while I was there, but I heard that everyone was having a great time, so I was very happy, and that gave strength to the players. However, I regret that we weren't able to give back in the end."

(You reported the results to the governor, but how did you feel at that time?)
"It was my first time visiting the prefectural office, so I was a bit nervous. I was overwhelmed."

(You mentioned that you wanted to bring your experience from the FIFA World Cup back to the Reds, but how do you plan to do that specifically?)
"Since joining Urawa Reds, I have been trying to communicate to my teammates my enthusiasm for Trial and my obsession with winning. This time, too, we lost in a penalty shootout, but I felt that many people were disappointed, and I want to communicate those feelings to the team. If Urawa Reds come together as one and share that feeling, I think the mood will change, including in the J.League and cup matches. I don't know if it will get through to them, but I want to convey that kind of thing little by little, as much as I can."


Afterwards, Sakai and Head of Football Division, Tokari, traveled to Saitama City Hall to attend the award ceremony for the Special Achievement in Sports Award. After receiving the award and a commemorative gift from Hayato Shimizu, Sakai presented him with a Japan national team uniform as a token of appreciation.



Sakai, who won the "Sports Special Achievement Award" following last year's participation in the 32nd Tokyo Olympic Games (2020/Tokyo), said, "I am happy to receive a special award. I think it's thanks to everyone in the city.I would like to give back to everyone not only as a member of the Japanese national team, but also as a Urawa Reds player, so please continue to support me."

Saitama Mayor Shimizu continued, “Thank you for achieving such a wonderful result at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and for giving courage, hope and excitement to many Saitama citizens. We would like to use this as an opportunity to make more people aware of the wonders of football, Urawa Reds, and sports. Sakai is the Reds. I hope that you will continue to do your best and give us even more dreams and hopes,” said Mr. Takashi Mikami, Vice Chairman of Saitama City Council, Mr. Toru Hino, Vice Mayor of Saitama City, and Mr. Atsushi Takahashi, Vice President of Saitama City. The Mayor, Hiroyuki Ogawa, Vice Mayor of Saitama City, and Mayumi Hosoda, Superintendent of Saitama City's Board of Education, all had a friendly chat for about 10 minutes.



Sakai's comments after receiving the Saitama City Sports Special Achievement Award are as follows:

[Hiroki Sakai]
(How did you feel when you received the Saitama City Special Sports Achievement Award?)
"Frankly, I'm very happy, and I'm delighted that the people of Saitama City have recognized my work in this way."

(There are many children who play soccer in Saitama City, and I think many of them want to stand on a great stage just like Sakai. What message do you have for those children?)
"Since joining Urawa Reds, I've felt every day Trial at Saitama Stadium that the enthusiasm and interest in soccer in Saitama City is very high. I also know that my passion is being conveyed to the children, so I want to continue to inspire them as a player, and I hope to be able to feel the children's passion and have a relationship where we can inspire each other, so I hope you'll do your best."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]