Opening speech at the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation’s Festival of Martial Arts 2012 by Consul-General Hidenobu Sobashima Adelaide, Sunday 11th November, 2012
Major Moogy Sumner, Ngarrindjeri Nation Elder, who has kindly performed to welcome and celebrate us,
The Honourable Tony Zappia, Federal Member for Makin,
The Honourable Lee Odenwalder, State Member for Little Para,
Mr Brian Goodall, Deputy Mayor of Salisbury,
O-Sensei Alexey Kunin, Founder and President of the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation (AJJIF),
Soke Dave Franklin, Vice President of AJJIF,
Mr Carl Withey, President of the World Budokan Association,
Soke Joe Veravello, Founder of Australian Ju-Jitsu Dojos,
Distinguished Guests,
Competitors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I appreciate this opportunity to say a few words at the opening of “All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation” Festival of Martial Arts 2012 here.
In Melbourne I have been selling myself as a Consul-General in the world’s most liveable city.
While the Economist Intelligence Unit has ranked Melbourne at the top of the world’s liveability ranking, Adelaide, for its part, ranked the 5th, ahead of Sydney’s 7th and Perth’s 9th.
These are the rankings of the world, not of Australia. 4 Australian cities in the world’s top 10.
In this connection, I firmly believe that the collaboration and cooperation between the Japanese residents and the Australian hosts are also contributing to such admirable liveability in Australia, economically and culturally, in this multicultural society.
This Martial Arts Festival is a very good example of such contributions.
The Japanese Martial Arts attach importance not only to the strength, but also to the beauty of the movement and the respect to the opponent.
I hope you will appreciate these in the performances given today.
I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to also appreciate the City of Salisbury for maintaining its strong sister city relationship with the Japanese City of Mobara, including by hosting a delegation from Mobara just a few weeks ago, and the City of Adelaide, who will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of its sister city relationship with the Japanese City of Himeji with the participation of Himeji Delegation in Adelaide this coming week.
This cultural festival perfectly fits the successive festivities between South Australia and Japan, and I admire the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation for having found the best timing, including for me to come to celebrate.
I conclusion, I would like to express my utmost gratitude to the organisers and participants for bringing this very important event together.
I hope you will all enjoy this event, I will enjoy, too.
Having said these, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I declare, with your approval, that the “ All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation” Festival of Martial Arts officially open.
Thank you.