[Saga Prefecture] From “National Athletic Meet” to “National Sports”. A completely new and unprecedented tournament that Saga Prefecture is taking on. “SAGA 2024 National Sports and All-Disability Sports” will start from September 5th.
*Saga prefecture*
Press release: September 5, 2024
**
From “National Athletic Meet” to “National Sports”. A completely new and unprecedented tournament that Saga Prefecture is taking on. “SAGA 2024 National Sports and All-Disability Sports” will start from September 5th.
SAGA 2024 (SAGA 2024) National Sports and All-Disability Sports (hereinafter referred to as “SAGA 2024”) is attracting attention as the first event to change from the “National Sports Festival” to the “National Sports Festival.”
In Saga Prefecture, we are taking on the challenge of creating a completely new, unprecedented tournament in order to deliver the power of sports to everyone and open up a new sports culture in Japan. Ahead of the National Sports and General Opening Ceremony (Saturday, October 5th), which symbolizes the tournament, pre-season competitions will finally begin on Thursday, September 5th.
SAGA2024 official website
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw-sa_uA_gQ
* ○SAGA2024 pre-season competition schedule*
September 5th (Thursday) to September 17th (Tuesday), 2024 (Reiwa 6) [Competition held]
Swimming (competitive swimming, artistic swimming, water polo, diving, open water swimming), rowing, volleyball (beach volleyball), gymnastics (competitive gymnastics, trampoline), canoeing (slalom, wild water)
September 21st (Saturday) to October 1st (Tuesday), 2024 (Reiwa 6) [Competition held]
Soccer, tennis, gymnastics (rhythmic gymnastics), sailing, soft tennis, rifle shooting (25m, 10m, 50m, beam rifle/beam pistol), kendo, clay pigeon shooting (trap/skeet)
○* What is SAGA 2024 National Sports and All-Disability Sports?*
Human resource development and community development utilizing the power of sports through Saga Prefecture’s unique “SSP concept”
Since 2018, Saga Prefecture has been implementing the SAGA Sports Pyramid Project (SSP), which aims to expand the base of sports culture (playing, nurturing, watching, supporting, and earning) through the development of top athletes from Saga who will challenge the world. We are working on a concept.
After an athlete retires, they become a coach in Saga and train the next generation of athletes, and their success inspires people and connects to the power of Saga. We are creating this virtuous cycle in Saga and promoting “human development” and “community development” using the power of sports.
SAGA2024 is positioned as a major milestone and leap forward in realizing this SSP concept.
SSP concept official website
What is the “unprecedented new tournament” that Saga Prefecture is aiming for?
The National Sports Festival, which has long been affectionately known as the “National Athletic Meet,” is now trying to write a new history as the “National Sports Festival,” as society and life have changed significantly since the first competition was held in 1946. I’m here. What should Saga Prefecture, which has been selected as the first host city, do? In response, Saga Prefecture has decided to thoroughly pursue the essential value of sports and create an unprecedented “new tournament.”
SAGA 2024 aims to be an event where everyone who plays, watches, and supports sports can interact with sports in a variety of ways, with the message of “bringing the power of sports to everyone.”
Specifically, the opening ceremony, which is the highlight of the tournament, will feature a completely new image, including “free admission for athletes and spectators alike.” In addition, the closing ceremony is scheduled to be held at SAGA Arena, a new-age entertainment arena that will be completed in 2023, and the finale of the tournament will be decorated with light and sound productions.
In addition, for example, for competitions held during the daytime on weekdays, we hold “night games” to increase the opportunity for people who are unable to attend the games due to school or work, and in addition to competitions between prefectures. “Creation of an award system that highlights the achievements of athletes” to recognize individual efforts, and in all-disability sports, medals are awarded to track and field escort runners and boccia ramp operators who fight alongside athletes, and in all situations. We are taking on the challenge of maximizing the power of sports.
○New tournament initiatives created by SAGA2024
[Ceremony symbolizing the new tournament]
*Enjoyable for both players and spectators*
* Free and fun entrance for athletes *
The entrance of the athletes was not an orderly procession, but a more free and fun parade. Part of the fun is seeing the players promote their respective prefectures during the welcome performance that fills the field. The closing ceremonies for both national sports and all disability sports will be held at the SAGA Arena. The finale of the tournament will be decorated with a light and sound production unique to the next generation of entertainers.
SAGA2024 Opening and Closing Ceremonies
[Creating an atmosphere that welcomes visitors to the prefecture] * Decoration that creates a sense of unity including the venue, station, airport, and town*
SAGA2024 uses pictograms modeled after real athletes and pattern graphics inspired by competition venue lines, courts, and balls to decorate not only the ceremony venue, but also competition venues, stations, airports, and downtown areas. We will create a space where you can experience sports in various places in the prefecture and welcome visitors to the prefecture.
[Project IDEA2024]
* What can we all do now that the national polity has turned into a national sports sport? *
“IDEA2024” is a project to “together” create the first tournament that will change from “National Athletic Meet” to “National Sports”. We solicited ideas for changing the way tournaments are held, something that can only be done through “sports,” and we received 2,106 ideas, which exceeded the target number (2,024 ideas). Many of the various initiatives of the “New Tournament” are born from these ideas.
In addition, unique ideas will be selected by the judging committee as MVI (Most Valuable Idea), and the ideas that have been realized will be introduced on the competition website.
Project IDEA2024
[Real Athlete Picto Project]
*Pictograms of real athletes*
We create tournament pictograms based on the silhouettes of real athletes.
Not only does it make it easier to visualize the competition, but it is also used as a tool to convey the appeal and excitement of sports to the fullest. Rather than being an inorganic symbol, it is full of information about the athlete’s background and passion for the sport. Pictogram Project Reference release – Saga Prefecture chosen as the birthplace of the National Sports Tournament – “SAGA2024 National Sports/All-Disability Sports” tournament pictogram announced
[Award highlighting the achievements of athletes]
* Awards to honor and communicate to successful athletes *
At SAGA2024, we are also taking on new challenges in the award system. This time, in addition to the prefectural competition, the award system “The
Good Player of SAGA2024” was created. Plays and performances that move the hearts of viewers. Please pay attention to the performance of the players.
[Awarding medals to escort runners, etc.]
*Sharing the joy with escort runners and boccia ramp operators* At the SAGA 2024 All-Disabled Sports, medals will be given to track and field escorts and boccia ramp operators who compete alongside the athletes.
This challenge that started in Saga will be carried over to the next tournament and beyond.
[Giving commemorative gifts to national sports winners]
* Commemorative gifts will be awarded to 4th to 8th place winners to honor their hard work*
Although we unfortunately missed out on the top prizes, the athletes who placed 4th to 8th will also be awarded porcelain from Saga Prefecture with a medal motif.
The awarding of commemorative gifts to 4th to 8th place is the first initiative in the history of the national polity and national sports. [Night game held]
*Holding night games to expand the range of viewing opportunities*
With the hope that as many people as possible can enjoy watching and cheering, we will also hold competitions during times when you can watch the games even after work. Night games have a different atmosphere than daytime games, and can be enjoyed by not only the visitors but also the players. This is also a new initiative that has never been done before. After watching the game, enjoy the excitement of the game by heading out into the city and having fun with your friends and family.
country sports
Wrestling (Adult Boys/Women) October 7th (Monday) Ureshino City “U-Spo (Ureshino City Central Gymnasium)”
Volleyball (adult women) October 8th (Tuesday) Saga City “SAGA Arena” Basketball (adult men) October 10th (Thursday) Karatsu City “Karatsu City Cultural Gymnasium/Aochi Tentoku no Oka Sports Park Social Gymnasium” “Karatsu Technical High School Gymnasium”
Sports Climbing (Lead Boys) October 12th (Saturday) Taku City “Kyushu Climbing Base SAGA”
All-handicap sports
Volleyball (physical disability) October 26th (Saturday) Saga City “SAGA Arena” Athletics October 26th (Saturday) Saga City “SAGA Stadium”
[Competition video distribution]
*A tournament that can be watched and supported nationwide*
All games of all competitions will be streamed via the Internet so that you can watch and cheer on the national sports and all disability sports competitions from anywhere in the country. At national sports sports, we have increased the number of distributions to about three times the previous number, and this is the first initiative for all disability sports. By distributing videos of each competition, we aim to make the competition more accessible, accessible, and easy to enjoy for as many people as possible.
Live streaming
[Wellspo area]
* Let’s experience sports together! *
The Wellspo area will appear at the opening and closing ceremony venue. Wellspo is a sports experience (well sports) hospitality (welcome).
It has the meaning of “spot”. Experience various sports and enjoy various gourmet foods. Both adults and children can enjoy moving their bodies as if it were a game.
Welspoarea
[Sagantier!]
*Volunteers supporting Saga’s sports scene*
* “Sagantia” *
Based on the concept of “bringing the power of sport to everyone,” the volunteers who support the event also decided to aim for a new look. That is Sagantier!
The word “SAGA” and “Frontier” are a combination of the words “SAGA” and “Frontier,” meaning that we created the tournament together with many people and “opened up a new sports scene from Saga.”
Sagantier!
[Meal recipe collection for competitors]
* “Supporting” athletes with “food” *
We have created a collection of recipes that support everyone involved in sports, from junior athletes to top athletes, with food. Contains meal ideas, key points, menus, and recipes based on sports nutrition. Please use it in various situations such as daily training, pre-match conditioning, and post-match recovery.
Meal recipe collection for competitors
[Watching guidebook]
*Condensed all 95 competitions*
This is a compact and easy-to-understand book containing the important points to keep in mind for all 95 competitions to be held at SAGA 2024. We have put together an easy-to-understand summary of the highlights of the competition and exciting points for cheering so that even those watching the competition for the first time can enjoy it. In addition to the booklet version, an e-book version is also available, so you can easily carry it to the competition venue. Spectator guidebook
○Reference materials
* [Event Overview] *
■National sports tournament
[Date] *General opening ceremony: October 5th (Saturday), general closing ceremony: October 15th (Tuesday)
・Pre-season competitions (1) September 5th (Thursday) to September 17th (Tuesday), 2024
・Pre-season competitions (2) September 21, 2024 (Saturday) to October 1, 2024 (Tuesday)
・This session: October 5th (Saturday) to October 15th (Tuesday), 2024
[Number of competitions]
Official competitions: 37 competitions, special competitions: 1 competition, public competitions: 7 competitions, demonstration sports: 28 competitions
■National Sports Tournament for the Disabled
[Date] *Opening ceremony: October 26th (Saturday), Closing ceremony: October 28th (Monday)
・October 26, 2024 (Saturday) to October 28, 2024 (Monday)
[Number of competitions]
Formal competitions: 14 competitions, open competitions: 8 competitions
*Some competitions have already ended.
[SAGA2024 image song]
■Title
Batons ~When your dreams come true~
■Production personnel
Singing: Reina Washio (born in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture) Lyrics: 326 (from Saga City, Saga Prefecture)
Composer: Hideaki Chiwata (born in Saga City, Saga Prefecture) Image song page
[SAGA Arena]
A new era entertainment arena that opened on May 13, 2023.
In addition to gymnastics competitions, volleyball, etc., the closing ceremonies for national sports and all-disability sports will be held. SAGA Sunrise Park HP
Reference release SAGA Arena, a new era entertainment arena that creates a sense of unity, is now open!
SAGA2024 official website