NEWS
Hiroki Sakai paid a courtesy visit to Saitama Prefectural Office and Saitama City Hall. Received Saitama City Sports Special Achievement Award
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 the courtesy call to the Saitama prefectural office are as follows.
(Hiroki Sakai)
(What is your message to Saitama citizens?)
“It was difficult to get the excitement of the Japanese people at the venue, but I heard that everyone was excited, so I was very happy, and it was a source of strength for the players. I'm sorry I couldn't do it."
(How did you feel when you reported the results to the governor?)
"It was my first time to visit the prefectural office, and I was nervous. I was overwhelmed."
(There was talk of wanting to return the experience of the FIFA World Cup to the Reds, but how do you want to give back specifically?)
“After joining Urawa Reds, I intend to convey to my teammates my passion for the game and my obsession with winning. I want to convey that feeling to the team.I think that if Urawa Reds unites as a team and has that feeling, the feeling will change, including in the J League and cup games. I don't know if that's the case, but I want to convey that little by little as much as I can."
After that, Sakai moved to Saitama City Hall with Tokari Football Headquarters Headquarters and attended the award ceremony for the Sports Special Achievement Award. After receiving a certificate of commendation and a commemorative gift from Mayor Hayato Shimizu Shimizu of Saitama City, he presented a uniform of the Japanese national team as a token of gratitude.
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 Sports Special Achievement Award?)
"Frankly, I'm happy, and I'm glad that the people of Saitama City appreciate it like this."
(Saitama City has many children who play soccer, and I think there are many children who want to stand on a wonderful stage like Sakai. What is your message to those children?)
“Since I joined Urawa Reds, I feel that Saitama City’s soccer passion and interest are very high every day from playing matches at Saitama Stadium. I want to continue to inspire them as a player, and I hope that I can feel the passion of the children and have a relationship where we can inspire each other, so I want them to do their best.”
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
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 the courtesy call to the Saitama prefectural office are as follows.
(Hiroki Sakai)
(What is your message to Saitama citizens?)
“It was difficult to get the excitement of the Japanese people at the venue, but I heard that everyone was excited, so I was very happy, and it was a source of strength for the players. I'm sorry I couldn't do it."
(How did you feel when you reported the results to the governor?)
"It was my first time to visit the prefectural office, and I was nervous. I was overwhelmed."
(There was talk of wanting to return the experience of the FIFA World Cup to the Reds, but how do you want to give back specifically?)
“After joining Urawa Reds, I intend to convey to my teammates my passion for the game and my obsession with winning. I want to convey that feeling to the team.I think that if Urawa Reds unites as a team and has that feeling, the feeling will change, including in the J League and cup games. I don't know if that's the case, but I want to convey that little by little as much as I can."
After that, Sakai moved to Saitama City Hall with Tokari Football Headquarters Headquarters and attended the award ceremony for the Sports Special Achievement Award. After receiving a certificate of commendation and a commemorative gift from Mayor Hayato Shimizu Shimizu of Saitama City, he presented a uniform of the Japanese national team as a token of gratitude.
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 Sports Special Achievement Award?)
"Frankly, I'm happy, and I'm glad that the people of Saitama City appreciate it like this."
(Saitama City has many children who play soccer, and I think there are many children who want to stand on a wonderful stage like Sakai. What is your message to those children?)
“Since I joined Urawa Reds, I feel that Saitama City’s soccer passion and interest are very high every day from playing matches at Saitama Stadium. I want to continue to inspire them as a player, and I hope that I can feel the passion of the children and have a relationship where we can inspire each other, so I want them to do their best.”
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
