I just returned from a wonderful
trip to Korea and Japan. I believe we have several photos posted on
the IRF Facebook and will get additional photos on the IRF web
site. It was an excellent event. I wish to thank Dr Cho
Wangi, President of the Asian Racquetball Federation and member of
the IRF Executive Board for extending the invitation to attend
this event. Mrs. Yuni Cobb, IRF, Vice President and Secretary
General of the ARF was such a wonderful host as well. Thanks
to both and everyone in Japan and Korea who reached out to the IRF
and hosted me personally. I traveled to Korea for one day and left
for Japan.
Yuni and I made the trip to Japan for three days and
has some excellent meetings with the Japanese Racquetball
Association. We wish to thank JARA President, Toshihara
Yanagi for meeting us at the airport and providing us with a great
hotel, meals and other hospitality events. We met with
Mr. Yanagi, Mr. Tanahara, Noriko Kanegae and Kenji Yotsuya all
from JARA. We were able to learn a lot about what is happening in
Japan and appreciated the discussions. We also met with
several members of the IRT, International Racquetball Tour
Japan. We met with Bobby Hakoishi, IRT President Hiroshi
Majima, Vice President, Kaori Yamauchi and Director Naomi
Kasahara. These also were good discussions and we thank
everyone who took the time to meet and visit with Yuni and me. It
is my hope to visit in the near future and have additional
discussions regarding growth and development of Racquetball in
Japan.
Yuni and I then went back to Korea for the 16th Asian
Racquetball Championships. It was a terrific event held in
Anyang, Korea. This is the same venue that the IRF held the
2004 Elite World's.
The turn out was excellent and the play was of high
quality. I was also able to meet with the Asian Racquetball
Federation and als met several of their Board members. It was good
to meet Dr.Yutaka Hiraizumi, Dr. Osamu Ueno and Dr.Chang
DongWoo. They are wonderful people and support the Asian
Racquetball Federation with enthusiasm.
I was also able to meet with Mr. Lee, Secretary General of the
Koran Racquetball Federation. We had a lengthily discussion
about Racquetball in Korea and the IRF in general.
In closing, I again wish to Thank
Dr. Cho Wangi for his leadership and friendship. Racquetball will
continue to be a better Sport in Asian because of his work in the
Asian Racquetball Federation.
I wish you all a wonderful Holiday Season.
Keith Calkins IRF President