A.S.WAKABA Envisions a Future Where Sepak Takraw Becomes a 'Mainstream Sport in Japan,' Connecting Everyone with a Ball in Weekend Parks

A.S.WAKABA (Representative: Tatsuya Hirase), a Sepak Takraw team based in the Wakabayashi area of Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, supports April Dream, which aims to make April 1st a day to announce dreams. This press release is A.S.WAKABA's dream. ## Creating a Future Where Sepak Takraw is Commonly Enjoyed in Parks Across Japan Just as basketball or soccer are chosen in school physical education, Sepak Takraw will become one of the options. Just as adults enjoy futsal after work, they will enjoy Sepak Takraw. On weekend parks, people of all generations will passionately kick and pass the ball. We aim to make such a scene a part of daily life in Japan. Sepak Takraw may have an image of being 'acrobatic and difficult.' However, its essence lies in the 'freedom to connect with anyone, anywhere, with just one ball.' We aim to free this sport from the impression that 'only some athletes can do it' and nurture it into a 'lifelong sport' that children and seniors alike can enjoy at their own pace. ## Initiatives Towards Realizing the Dream This future is built upon daily efforts. A.S.WAKABA creates opportunities for people to experience Sepak Takraw for the first time through local experience classes and school outreach programs. What is valued in these activities is sharing the 'joy of kicking the ball.' By creating an environment where people of all ages and experience levels can enjoy, we aim to transform the feeling from 'knowing about it' to 'having tried it,' and then to 'wanting to continue it forever,' thereby expanding the base of the sport. ## From Daily Life to the World As Sepak Takraw spreads into daily life, more people will play, more people will watch, and its cultural value will increase. Beyond this expansion, we believe that a future where Sepak Takraw shines on the world's highest stage, the Olympics, as a sport familiar to everyone, is not just a dream. We are seriously aiming for a future where a small step of 'fun!' in daily life eventually connects to the world. ## Future Outlook A.S.WAKABA will continue to cherish community-rooted activities and deliver the charm of Sepak Takraw to as many people as possible. And we will realize a future where Sepak Takraw is part of daily life, together with society. ## About Sepak Takraw Team 'A.S.WAKABA' 'A.S.WAKABA' is a Sepak Takraw club team based in the Wakabayashi area of Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. It belongs to the comprehensive regional sports and culture club 'Wakabayashi Club' in Setagaya-ku, with approximately 30 members, from high school students to adults, practicing three times a week at Setagaya Municipal Setagaya Junior High School. The club's philosophy is to 'enjoy Sepak Takraw with people all over the world, and sincerely and passionately pursue and disseminate its charm. We will contribute proactively and dedicatedly to the team, community, sports world, and society.'