Director of JIN Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Clinic
Niga Sadao
The true image of the athletes as seen by Sadao Niga, the first full-time doctor
And then there's the person who, though not a player, still looks up to as a "life mentor" and is an indispensable part of his memories from his time as a full-time doctor: Manager Oft, the very person who made Niga the full-time doctor for the Reds.
After becoming the Reds' full-time doctor, manager Oft made the following suggestion to him.
"Urawa Reds should create a clinic equipped with MRI and other facilities, where you should be able to see athletes from all over the country."
Niga firmly refused. Before becoming the Reds' full-time doctor, Niga had also worked as a part-time physician at the National Institute of Sports Science (JISS), which opened in 2001. He felt that the role that Coach Oft was looking for belonged to JISS, not to him.
However, now, nearly 20 years later, the JIN Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Clinic, established by Niga in 2013, attracts not only J.League players from clubs other than the Reds, but also athletes from various sports such as professional baseball, rugby, judo, badminton, and track and field. Top athletes from all kinds of sports, not just soccer players, and athletes everyone knows, come to Niga for help. Every time the Olympics or World Championships are held, athletes treated by Niga perform brilliantly in those sports.
"Now I understand what Mr. Oft was saying."
Manager Oft, who led the Reds to victory in the 2003 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, the club's first-ever title, was always looking ahead.
"He was someone who taught me what it means to be a professional. A professional athlete, a professional club, a professional doctor... He was always looking five or ten years ahead, and he was always asking everyone at the club, 'What is your picture of the future?'"
Thinking about the present while looking to the future is essentially a sign of foresight. In the 2002 season, manager Oft included Keisuke Tsuboi, a rookie professional who had joined from Fukuoka University, in the starting lineup from the opening game.
"Tsuboi was a member of the Universiade team, but he wasn't exactly a well-known player during his university days. He was fast, but he wasn't particularly strong in heading, nor was he good at kicking or trapping. I was wondering why, and the reporters were asking Coach Oft about it. He replied, 'What are you all looking at? He'll be a regular on the Japanese national team within two years.'"
That was true. "But," Niga said, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Even Mr. Oft made a slight mistake. Tsuboi joined the national team after six months, not two years."
Thirty years of walking together with all of you.
In a recent Trial, we surpassed 15 million spectators at our J.League home stadium, a feat no other club has achieved.
In gratitude for the support we've received so far, and with the aim of creating a new era together, the match against Kashima on (Sat), May 21st will be held as a "30th Anniversary Commemorative Trial".
On Trial day, we hope to share the joy of having Urawa Reds with all of you.
Purchase tickets here
"Urawa Reds 30th Anniversary Book 1992-2022" is now on sale!
This book, based on their words and testimonies, looks back on the club's history and the path it has taken so far, while also exploring its promising future.
Click here for details
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