1. Establishment of SAJD
It was1998 Nagano Paralympics that built a momentum for the establishment of
Japan Paralympics Committee (JPC) in 1999, which accelerated creating the
promotion system for the disabled sports in Japan. Ski Association Japan for
the Disabled (SAJD) was organized in November 2001 to unify a number of ski
associations that had been separately formed by type of disability. In 2003,
SAJD was approved as a specified nonprofit corporation by the Japanese
government.
2. Alpine Skiing
Besides Paralympics, the pinnacle for the athletes, many disabled alpine ski
tournaments are held worldwide, such as World Championship (every two
years), World Cup (every year) and regional (Europe, North America and Asia)
championships. SAJD has organized the Japanese national disabled alpine ski
team with an aim to develop world-class athletes who can compete in these
tournaments. At the Torino Paralympics in March 2006, the team earned one
gold, four silver and one bronze medals. Also, at 2006 World Cup, the team
Japan was ranked 3rd in the country point ranking by attaining 8 first
places, 11 second places and 6 third places in the total of 12 competitions.
3. Dissemination of Disabled Alpine Skiing / Social Participation of the
Disabled
In addition to training the national team, SAJD eagerly seeks to disseminate
ski sports to the disabled who may restrain themselves from winter
activities. SAJD believes that skiing supports the disabled to overcome
their disabilities and helps them to actively participate in the society.
With the purpose of increasing the skiing population among the disabled in
Japan and improving their athletic ability, SAJD hosts various events every
year.
4. Creating Support Foundation for the Disabled Skiers
SAJD has started a “Training and Support Program” with an aim to create a
stable supporting foundation for developing the disabled ski racing athletes
and increasing the numbers of the disabled skiers in Japan. Today, many
corporations participate in the social action programs to support welfare
services and environmental projects. Supporting the disabled alpine skiers
enables corporations to expand their CSR activities to various fields of
social contributions, not limited to welfare service for the disabled. SAJD
firmly believes that participating in the sports program for the disabled
helps the sponsor businesses to improve their corporate/product images
through substantial exposure in an array of international competitions
towards 2010 Vancouver Paralympics.
5. Supporting SAJD
- ●Contribution to the Japanese National Alpine Ski Team
- ●Material support to the Japanese National Alpine Ski Team
- ●Invitation of the disabled athletes to events hosted by business
organizations
- ●Physical support to SAJD
- ●Co-sponsoring events hosted by SAJD
Your supports and contributions will be publicized through SAJD’s PR
activities such as magazine, press release and website. For more information
about supporting SAJD, please contact
hsaj@jt8.so-net.ne.jp
